Temporal connectivities: A scoping study of the available research on time and community
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: Social Sciences
Abstract
Despite the complicated and wide-ranging role of temporality in some of the most pressing questions about social mechanisms of connectivity and belonging, the research on 'time' and 'community' has remained fragmented and underdeveloped. The aim of this study, then, is to gain a better sense of what research is currently available and to identify cross-cutting and emerging themes, as well as any significant gaps. This study utilised desk-based research and a collaborative workshop to produce a rapid 'mapping', or overview, of an extensive range of relevant research. 885 references were included in the study, with 85 proving to be highly relevant. Eleven key analytical links between time and community were inferred from this sample. With the inclusion of a broader selection of references, a number of cross-cutting concerns emerging, including the role of time in social inclusion and exclusion, in the possibilities of social change and in the legitimation and evaluation of social action. The outcomes of the study include an annotated bibliographic resource, with references coded according to six key criteria, further resources produced at the collaborative workshop (available from the project website) and an article length write-up of the study.
Organisations
| Description | Despite the complicated and wide-ranging role of temporality in some of the most pressing questions about social mechanisms of connectivity and belonging, the research on 'time' and 'community' has remained fragmented and underdeveloped. The aim of this study, then, was to gain a better sense of what research is currently available and to identify cross-cutting and emerging themes, as well as any significant gaps. This study utilised desk-based research and a collaborative workshop to produce a rapid 'mapping', or overview, of an extensive range of relevant research. 885 references were included in the study, with 85 proving to be highly relevant. Eleven key analytical links between time and community were inferred from this sample. With the inclusion of a broader selection of references, a number of cross-cutting concerns emerging, including the role of time in social inclusion and exclusion, in the possibilities of social change and in the legitimation and evaluation of social action. The outcomes of the study include an annotated bibliographic resource, with references coded according to six key criteria, further resources produced at the collaborative workshop (available from the project website) and an article length write-up of the study. |
| Exploitation Route | The scoping study has charted the work available on time and community for the first time. The publication itself has been useful for people in related areas, including time and migration. Most important, however, is the online bibliography which has been a useful resource for many working in the area. |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Creative Economy,Education,Environment,Healthcare,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Government, Democracy and Justice,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| URL | http://www.temporalbelongings.org/ |
| Description | This was a small scoping study project whose primary audience was for fellow researchers. The findings will thus have further impact by raising awareness of the importance of time for communities, e.g in work on policy and community development. Some of these impacts were more fully developed in the follow on project AH/J006653/1 |
| First Year Of Impact | 2012 |
| Sector | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Creative Economy,Education,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections |
| Impact Types | Cultural,Societal,Economic,Policy & public services |
| Title | Temporal Belongings Library |
| Description | A bibliographic resource, which identifies work that is particularly pertinent to the study of time and community. The database contains 885 references in total, from disciplines across the social sciences and humanities, as well as a small number of references from the sciences. Most are peer-reviewed publications, but grey literature has also been included. These references are coded according to a number of criteria. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2011 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | Most significant is the developing of further studies using this resource, including a scoping study on time and migration by researchers at the ESRC funded COMPAS. |
| URL | http://www.temporalbelongings.org/the-library.html |
| Description | Temporal Belongings workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | The residential workshop included just over 40 participants and took place over two days at the University of Manchester's conference and hotel facility; Chancellors. In order to explore the breadth of approaches, and support new collaborations, the workshop included a variety of session formats. Along with a small number of longer papers, all participants presented 5 minute paper (or lightning talk) that responded to the workshop themes. There was also an Open Space session and a World Cafe session on Day Two, where themes emerging from the paper sessions were explored in greater depth. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
| URL | http://www.temporalbelongings.org/community-connectivities.html |