The group’s research embraces a range of conceptual and methodological approaches to urban space, including poststructuralism, actor-network theory, and ethnography. We are especially well known for our engagements with influential European social and cultural theorists and Continental philosophers: Alain Badiou, Jean Baudrillard, Zygmunt Bauman, Gilles Deleuze, Jacques Derrida, Bruno Latour, and Jacques Lacan.

Research is conducted within a wide variety of socio-spatial contexts, including consumer society, film and visual culture, performance, urban regeneration, the knowledge economy, the media, healthcare, and world cities.

The group hosts the University's CUT (CUT), which is dedicated to the advancement of interdisciplinary urban theory.

Academic staff

Dr Rosemary Bromley; (Development of Latin American cities, urban regeneration, retailing and the disadvantaged consumer)

Prof. David Clarke (Urban culture and consumption, poststructuralism, postmodernism)

Prof. Marcus Doel (Poststructuralist geographies, critical Human Geography, libidinal economy, consumer society)

Dr Felicia Hughes-Freeland (Cultural politics, dance and performance in Southeast Asia, ritual, media and visual ethnography, anthropological theory, gender)

Dr Kevin Rees (High-technology industries, corporate collaboration, patenting, regional economic development)

Dr Richard Smith (Poststructuralist cities, global cities, social and cultural theory)

Research themes and projects currently include

Cities and urban theory

Consumerism and consumer culture

Cinematic space

Cultural politics and performance

Regional economic development

The use of urban space

Postgraduate research (PhD and MPhil)

Find out about joining our research community here.