Putting assemblage to work for geographical research
• Submit a 250 word description that explains the rationale for the theme.
Many geographers by now would be familiar with assemblage theory which has emerged over the last decade as a kind of philosophical position to theorise society and the city (Anderson et al 2012; Farias and Bender 2009; Harris 2013, Healey and Hillier 2009; McFarlane 2011). Assemblage as a theoretical approach re-thinks how the city is constituted: through relations between “people, networks, organisations, as well as, a variety of infrastructural components, from buildings and streets to conduits for matter and energy flows” (DeLanda 2006:5). Assemblage theory has prompted researchers to move away from adopting structural explanations of truths, towards process, to reveal contingency and difference. As a theoretical approach assemblage has brought methodological challenges of how to examine these relations.
This session poses the question of how can assemblage thinking – a theory which refuses truths, boundaries and totalities – be approached methodologically? Researchers are invited to debate the experiences, challenges and opportunities in adopting assemblage theory. Potential topics which might be covered include, but are not limited to: opportunities and critiques of using assemblage theory for research, what assemblage theory means for approaching methodologies, findings and suggestions from using assemblage for empirical work, and the usefulness of assemblage theory for investigating the dynamics of cities and urban issues (such as poverty, development, politics, governance).
• Propose a format for the session (e.g. “standard paper session - 4 papers”)
Panel session – 3 or more discussants
• Include four keywords
Assemblage, relationality, process, methodology  
• Identify the session’s organiser(s) and provide contact details.
Elizabeth Adamczyk
Discipline of Geography, University of Newcastle
Elizabeth.Adamczyk@newcastle.edu.au
T: (02)4921 7796
• If you know of any, list the names of people who have indicated that they will contribute to the session.
- Rupert Doney (University of Newcastle) - Nathalie Gentle (University of Newcastle University) - JD Dewsbury (University of Bristol) UNCONFIRMED - Tom Rivard (University of Technology, Sydney) UNCONFIRMED                                        

Email your submission to Emily at ASN Events eg@asnevents.net.au