Dr Nicola Spurling
Lecturer in The Theory and Methods of Social FuturesResearch Overview
CURRENT TEACHINGSOCL 200 Understanding Social Thought
SOCL 315 Sociology of the Future
SOCL 919 Research Projects in Practice: From Design to Dissemination
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My current research focusses on the potential contributions of theories of practice to futures thinking. In previous projects I have explored how working lives, daily lives and everyday mobility have changed since 1950, and the role of infrastructures, institututions and individual lives in such processes. At present I am interested in the insights that such analyses offer to futures thinking in domains of energy and travel demand, and the future university.
I have an undergraduate degree in Anthropology and Masters & PhD in Sociology, and my research interests continue to span the social sciences. Much of my research is characterised by innovative methodology, combining historical and contemporary work to study change across temporal and spatial scales.
If you are interested in finding out more then visit http://www.nicolaspurling.com
PhD Supervision Interests
Studies of working lives, daily lives, everyday mobility and how they change. The role of infrastructures and materials in social change. Theories of social practice, sociology of time, sociology of the future. Histories of planning. Garden cities and new towns. Everyday futures, energy and transport demand.
Managing Waste and the Circular Economy
Invited talk
Beyond Behaviour Change and the Centre for Urban Research, RMIT University, Melbourne
Visiting an external academic institution
Sociology (Journal)
Editorial activity
Space in Use: dwelling in days, weeks, seasons and decades
Invited talk
Institute for Transport Studies, Leeds University (External organisation)
Membership of committee
Workshop 'Dwelling in the Utopian Everyday'
Invited talk
Utopia Fair
Festival/Exhibition/Concert
Making and Unmaking Space for the Car: infrastructure in practice
Invited talk
Reconfiguring Everyday Practices for a Post-Carbon World (Event)
Membership of committee
If the Walls Could Talk
Festival/Exhibition/Concert
Exploring the Peaks: Energy demand and the changing rhythms of daily life
Public Lecture/ Debate/Seminar
Mobility Practice Bundles: Exploring the relationship between everyday and professional practices
Invited talk
Sustainability|Social Practices|Policy
Festival/Exhibition/Concert
- CeMoRe - Centre for Mobilities Research
- ISF - Leadership Team
- ISF Anniversary Lecturers
- MSF Supervisors 2019/20