October 2005 - September 2007
ESRC
The focus of this two-year project (jointly managed by the Universities of Leeds and Leicester) is on ‘autonomous geographies’ – spaces where there is a questioning of laws and social norms, and a desire to create non-capitalist, collective forms of politics, identity, and citizenship. We look at how activists make and remake such spaces in their everyday lives in cities by asking four main questions: What are the core ideas, beliefs, and visions expressed by autonomous groups and projects? How are such ideas translated into action? What kinds of spaces for participation and identity do these ideas and actions create? What does it mean to live in interstitial (in-between), overlapping spaces? We are investigating six networks through which autonomous geographies are made, covering areas such as media, food, education, land, housing, and work. The research employs a participatory action-research approach, undertaking participant-observation, life-history, interview, and focus-group work. Future dissemination will be via a project website, and an accessible report and video.