Interdisciplinarity, transdisciplinarity and psychosocial studies: the report of a small scale survey of psychosocial activity on the internet

Interdisciplinarity, transdisciplinarity a nd other variants on disciplinarity are now thriving topics of academic and policy interest. There is much talk of the need for novel institutional arrangements and a new knowledge „culture‟ which might better support modes of communication, thinking and p ractice that foster and sustain collaborative work between, across and beyond disciplines. Transdisciplinarity in particular is often presented in terms of a vital transformation in the nature of knowledge production and in the relations between „science‟ and „society‟, although different accounts emphasize different aspects. In this study, entitled “Interdisciplinarity, transdisciplinarity and psychosocial studies”, we focus on inter and transdisciplinary research that goes under the label of psychosocial studies. In principle, such work cuts across the boundaries between the various psy - sciences and practices and the various social sciences, especially sociology, but work operating under this label may also draw more broadly upon influences from the natur al sciences and the humantitiess. This topic was of particular interest since Psychosocial Studies has become a core research theme in SASS. The findings will thus prove of use to the further development of this group, and to the articulation of specific r esearch programmes

Interdisciplinarity, transdisciplinarity and psychosocial studies: the report of a small scale survey of psychosocial activity on the internet

Interdisciplinarity, transdisciplinarity a nd other variants on disciplinarity are now thriving topics of academic and policy interest. There is much talk of the need for novel institutional arrangements and a new knowledge „culture‟ which might better support modes of communication, thinking and p ractice that foster and sustain collaborative work between, across and beyond disciplines. Transdisciplinarity in particular is often presented in terms of a vital transformation in the nature of knowledge production and in the relations between „science‟ and „society‟, although different accounts emphasize different aspects. In this study, entitled “Interdisciplinarity, transdisciplinarity and psychosocial studies”, we focus on inter and transdisciplinary research that goes under the label of psychosocial studies. In principle, such work cuts across the boundaries between the various psy - sciences and practices and the various social sciences, especially sociology, but work operating under this label may also draw more broadly upon influences from the natur al sciences and the humantitiess. This topic was of particular interest since Psychosocial Studies has become a core research theme in SASS. The findings will thus prove of use to the further development of this group, and to the articulation of specific r esearch programmes

Foucault, sustainable tourism, and relationships with the environment (human and nonhuman)

Drawing on contemporary research into ethical consumption and sustainable tourism this article starts by outlining the ways in which sustainable tourism (and other forms of ethical consumption) has been understood as a means to perform class based distinctions. At this stage, it is suggested that whilst class may be one factor in understanding such a complex phenomena there might also be a need to examine the practices of sustainable tourist in a manner that takes seriously individual attempts to ‘be ethical’. Foucault’s understanding of ethics is then offered as a means through which this can be achieved. A brief account of the method used to read individuals accounts of sustainable tourism through an ethical Foucauldian lens is then presented. Following this the paper presents the analysis of interviews with sustainable tourists focusing on two key elements. Firstly, the analysis presents the emotional and reciprocal elements of interactions between sustainable tourists and the human ‘other’. Secondly the analysis examines the relationship between the sustainable tourist and non-human environments to further develop the understanding of the emotional and reciprocal elements in light of a Foucauldian ethics. In conclusion it is suggested that rather than merely representing a mode of class distinction, sustainable tourism can be understood through an appreciation of the emotional and reciprocal relationship with the other, thus taking seriously individuals attempts to engage with ethical practices

Foucault, sustainable tourism, and relationships with the environment (human and nonhuman)

Drawing on contemporary research into ethical consumption and sustainable tourism this article starts by outlining the ways in which sustainable tourism (and other forms of ethical consumption) has been understood as a means to perform class based distinctions. At this stage, it is suggested that whilst class may be one factor in understanding such a complex phenomena there might also be a need to examine the practices of sustainable tourist in a manner that takes seriously individual attempts to ‘be ethical’. Foucault’s understanding of ethics is then offered as a means through which this can be achieved. A brief account of the method used to read individuals accounts of sustainable tourism through an ethical Foucauldian lens is then presented. Following this the paper presents the analysis of interviews with sustainable tourists focusing on two key elements. Firstly, the analysis presents the emotional and reciprocal elements of interactions between sustainable tourists and the human ‘other’. Secondly the analysis examines the relationship between the sustainable tourist and non-human environments to further develop the understanding of the emotional and reciprocal elements in light of a Foucauldian ethics. In conclusion it is suggested that rather than merely representing a mode of class distinction, sustainable tourism can be understood through an appreciation of the emotional and reciprocal relationship with the other, thus taking seriously individuals attempts to engage with ethical practices