: Exploring the roles of physical and virtual space in trans-local cultural scene uniformity.

Cultural areas of cities show apparent global uniformity, and a resulting key question for economic geography is how is this potential homogeneity facilitated? Trans-local cultural scenes may provide an answer, referring to geographically dispersed local scenes, drawn into regular communication around interests and lifestyles: participants in trans-local cultural scenes may pick up ideas, knowledge and economic practices and transport them across space.

My research aim involves investigating the roles local physical anchors and virtual spaces play in facilitating trans-local cultural scenes and uniformity. Local physical anchors describe spaces that have integral involvement in scenes and help to spread ideas and practices through acting as meeting spaces, whilst the virtual space I will investigate involves websites such as social media, which increase spatial dissemination of knowledge. Trans-local scenes compliment long standing research interests of economic geographers; as important spaces of production and consumption, they provide a valuable lens to study flows of information, practices and values.

Trans-local scenes are an under-studied concept, with existing literature concentrating on either the roles of physical space or outdated early virtual space, neglecting overlaps. More study is therefore needed to nuance collective understanding. My research will be completed nationally and overseas, with methods consisting of semi-structured in-depth interviews, participant observation, visual based data and content analysis. This research will contribute to theoretical economic geography debates on flows of knowledge, practices and values, and will be additionally impactful for city policy makers who invest in cultural scenes for economic revival.