Critical Mobilities

Organiser:      Professor Ole B. Jensen, AAU, e-mail: obje@aod.aau.dk
Lecturers:  Professor Tim Richardson, AAU, Professor Ole B Jensen, AAU, Dr. Anne Jensen, NERI, University of Århus, Sven Kesselring, Technical University of Munich
ECTS: 5
Time:  22-24 September, 2009
Place: Aalborg University 
Deadline:  August 1 2009
 
Online registration:  http://phd.plan.aau.dk/phd-courses/4129537

 
Description
Mobilities: An exciting research field which seeks to understand the significance of emerging forms of mobilities, and to analyse the diverse meanings and practices of mobilities. Challenging opportunities for research are opened up, as new questions emerge about how the option for mobility affects social life, and poses difficult issues for those charged with governing the conditions for mobility. This course brings together Ph.D. researchers who are engaging with these issues in diverse ways, to generate a critical debate about the conceptual and practical challenges of researching mobilities.
 
The course draws together critical perspectives from spatial theory, sociology, political science, and geography, and builds a dialogue to explore the interface between critical theoretical perspectives and their application in empirical research. It is relevant to students in fields including planning, urban studies, political science, sociology, human geography and transport studies, at all stages of their Ph.D. research.
 
The course is recognised as a formal research training event and attendance counts for 5 ECTS. To participate in the course students submit a short paper (max. of 1000 words) about their research and interest in critical mobilities research. In order to pass the course, participants are expected to read a set of core literature circulated beforehand, to present their research orally, and to participate in workshops and dialogue during the course. The course places a strong emphasis on building dialogue between the course team and participants.
 
The programme consists of presentations by the course team on a diverse range of themes relating to mobilities research, which leads into open and wide ranging discussions which are expected to cross disciplinary boundaries and engage with research into policy and everyday life. Much of the time, however, is dedicated to presentations by participating research students about their own research, which are discussed in a critical and supportive environment. Overall, the aim of the course is to allow Ph.D. students to develop their critical understanding of theories and practices of mobilities research.