IRS International Lectures on Society and Space

The IRS established the "International Lectures on Society and Space" in 2013 as a series of events which features guest lectures by internationally renowned researchers in the field of social and spatial sciences. Twice a year a guest talks on a topic of his or her own choice and holds a PhD seminar for the IRS doctoral students. The purpose of the events is to bring together IRS researchers with international scholars and other guests to discuss current trends and topics of research on society and space. On these occasions new perspectives on common empiral subjects are revealed and potential collaborations open up.

IRS International Lecture
20. October | 2023
IRS International Lecture
04. October | 2023
22nd IRS International Lecture on Society and Space with Markku Sotarauta, University Tampere
IRS International Lecture
06. December | 2022
21st IRS International Lecture on Society and Space with Sami Moisio, University of Helsinki
Photo: Phil Aicken/unsplash.com, Portrait: Veikko Somerpuro

I present a critical-colonial perspective to understanding the contemporary expansion of the so-called knowledge economy. The kernel of argument is that the knowledge economy can be understood as a geopolitical process of producing entangled yet different “worlds” through a logic of coloniality. more infos

IRS International Lecture
11. May | 2022
20th IRS International Lecture on Society and Space with Örjan Sjöberg, Stockholm School of Economics
Photo background: Calado/stock.adobe.com

Urban theory has long been struggling to find its feet. It has been criticised for an inclination to favour paradigmatic cities, for not being particularly inclusive or for ignoring the importance of context. The alternatives have been reproached for being particularistic, arbitrary and ignoring economic imperatives, voluntarism taking the upper hand over structural features. more infos

IRS International Lecture
22. November | 2021
19th IRS International Lecture on Society and Space with Alessandra Faggian, Gran Sasso Science Institute
Photo Background: Sergey Nivens/stock.adobe.com

This IRS International Lecture on Society and Space will focus on the “human capital migration” phenomenon, i.e. the migratory behaviour of highly-educated, highly-skilled individuals. Much is known already on the determinants of human capital migration and also on the positive effects it has, in economic terms, on the receiving economies. more infos

IRS International Lecture
07. May | 2021
18th IRS International Lecture on Society and Space with Tuna Taşan-Kok, University of Amsterdam
Photo Portrait: Dirk Gillissen (UvA) Photo Background: Arthena/own work/CC BY-SA 3.0/commons.wikimedia.org

Consequences of neoliberalism and entrepreneurial urban governance seem to be very clearly visible in some cities through scattered property-led spatial developments and investments. While the entrepreneurialisation of municipal governance is widely acknowledged in the scholarly literature, the extent and format of institutional and organisational structures that accompany neoliberal ideological shifts and market transitions often remain unclear. more infos

IRS International Lecture
21. September | 2020
17th IRS International Lecture on Society and Space with Professor Mark Shucksmith, Newcastle University
Photo M. Shucksmith: ACRE (Action with Communities in Rural England) Photo Background: Thomas Kraus/CC BY-ND 2.0/flickr.com

Poverty and social exclusion exist in rural, as well as in urban, areas across the world. This paper begins by reviewing conceptualizations of social exclusion and its relation to place, arguing that social exclusion may be understood in terms of dynamic, multi-dimensional, relational processes which operate in localized contexts at multiple scales. Often this is considered primarily in terms of exclusion from labour markets or simply lack of income, but a full understanding of social exclusion can only be gained by considering the wider range of processes by which resources are gained and lost in our societies. more infos

IRS International Lecture
30. June | 2020
16th IRS International Lecture on Society and Space with Doug Saunders

How do cities manage the arrival and settlement of immigrants? This question is discussed by the Canadian journalist Douglas Saunders in his book "Arrival City: How the largest Migration in History is Reshaping Our World", published in 2011. In his book, Saunders lays out the conditions for success and failure of immigration-defined neighbourhoods around the world. more infos

IRS International Lecture
20. November | 2019
15th IRS International Lecture on Society and Space with Chris Gibson, University of Wollongong, Australia
Photo: luchqueiroz/stock.adobe.com

Urbanization and the land question go hand in hand, in fact the land question is at the core of urban transformation on a global scale. In this lecture, Ute Lehrer will look at the suburban land question, where we can still find central aspects of the transformation process from a use value of land to an exchange value as a commodity within a capitalist society. She will also make reference to the land question that is posed within a colonial context, namely that of stewardship versus ownership. more infos

IRS International Lecture
08. April | 2019
14th IRS International Lecture on Society and Space with Prof. Ute Lehrer, York University (Toronto, Canada)
Photo: MarkLuton/pixabay; Portrait: Roger Keil

Urbanization and the land question go hand in hand, in fact the land question is at the core of urban transformation on a global scale. In this lecture, Ute Lehrer will look at the suburban land question, where we can still find central aspects of the transformation process from a use value of land to an exchange value as a commodity within a capitalist society. She will also make reference to the land question that is posed within a colonial context, namely that of stewardship versus ownership. more infos

Selected Lectures in the Video Channel

Doug Saunders: Arrival Cities and Neighbourhood Traps