The Transitions and Transformations theme brings together research interests focused on the theoretical, empirical and methodological innovations in studying places that are experiencing rapid or radical socio-institutional change – often associated with multiple social, economic and political reforms, uncertainties, turbulence, restructuring, adaptation, modernisation, and spatial transformations.
This work is particularly based on our world leading studies in the human geography of post-socialist and emerging economies, including Russia, Eastern and Central Europe and China, as well as spaces beyond these, such as peripheral EU states and EU neighbours. There is a long tradition of research within the School into these spatialities, which this research team recognises and enhances. Members’ interests span a variety of spatial scales and embrace a multiplicity of conditions and processes underpinning the geographies of transformation and transition, such as welfare state restructuring, EU accession, uneven geographical development, social vulnerabilities, resilience, urban and regional governance, informal economies, and the everyday life.
Our members are actively involved in a broad range of research and teaching collaborations with the other research groups in the School, elsewhere in the University, and with colleagues beyond the University – both in the UK and globally. We work closely with or consult many national and international organisations – from the United Nations and European Commission to nation governments, local communities and NGOs.
The group’s research interests include, inter alia:
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The political economy of urban and regional restructuring in Eastern Europe;
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The changing nature of everyday life under post-socialism;
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Coping with the pressures of deprivation, social exclusion, and spatial isolation;
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Transnationalism in education, mobility and settlement;
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The political geographies and shifting governance in Europe