Lars Meier – författare

Based on qualitative research among industrial workers in a region that has undergone deindustrialisation and transformation to a service-based economy, this book examines the loss of status among former manual labourers. Focus lies on their emotional experiences, nostalgic memories, hauntings from the past and attachments to their former places of work, to transformed neighbourhoods, as well as to public space. Against this background the book explores the continued importance of class as workers attempt to manage the declining recognition of their skills and a loss of power in an "established-outsider figuration". A study of the transformation of everyday life and social positions wrought by changes in the social structure, in urban landscapes and in the "structures of feeling", this examination of the dynamic of social identity will appeal to scholars of sociology, anthropology and geography with interests in post-industrial societies, social inequality, class and social identity.

Based on qualitative research among industrial workers in a region that has undergone deindustrialisation and transformation to a service-based economy, this book examines the loss of status among former manual labourers. Focus lies on their emotional experiences, nostalgic memories, hauntings from the past and attachments to their former places of work, to transformed neighbourhoods, as well as to public space. Against this background the book explores the continued importance of class as workers attempt to manage the declining recognition of their skills and a loss of power in an "established-outsider figuration". A study of the transformation of everyday life and social positions wrought by changes in the social structure, in urban landscapes and in the "structures of feeling", this examination of the dynamic of social identity will appeal to scholars of sociology, anthropology and geography with interests in post-industrial societies, social inequality, class and social identity.

The migration of professionals is widely seen as a paradigmatic representation and a driver of globalization. The global elite of highly qualified migrants—managers and scientists, for example—are partly defined by their lives’ mobility. But their everyday lives are based and take place in specific cities. The contributors of this book analyze the relevance of locality for a mobile group and provide a new perspective on migrant professionals by considering the relevance of social identities for local encounters in socially unequal cities. Contributors explore shifting identities, senses of belonging, and spatial and social inequalities and encounters between migrant professionals and ‘Others’ within the cities. These qualitative studies widen the understanding of the importance of local aspects for the social identities of those who are in many aspects more privileged than others.

The migration of professionals is widely seen as a paradigmatic representation and a driver of globalization. The global elite of highly qualified migrants—managers and scientists, for example—are partly defined by their lives’ mobility. But their everyday lives are based and take place in specific cities. The contributors of this book analyze the relevance of locality for a mobile group and provide a new perspective on migrant professionals by considering the relevance of social identities for local encounters in socially unequal cities. Contributors explore shifting identities, senses of belonging, and spatial and social inequalities and encounters between migrant professionals and ‘Others’ within the cities. These qualitative studies widen the understanding of the importance of local aspects for the social identities of those who are in many aspects more privileged than others.

In an era of increasing mobilities, places of residence are still vital. Unlike commuting, migrating or travelling, dwelling usually evokes – at least in modern Western thought – the idea of an immobile, private place to rest. This book explores the places, spaces and practices of dwelling in mobile times, and considers dwelling under the umbrella of broader transformations in society. The manifestations of these transformations are carved out on the level of everyday practices and experiences.

Bringing together eight case studies from Europe, the USA and Asia on subjects such as gentrification, homelessness and displaced persons, multi-local and diasporic lifeworlds, professional elites, and tourism, the book explores various and complex entanglements of mobilities and dwelling in detail. In doing so, the contributors critically analyse who may be, or has to be, mobile under which circumstances at present. This book thus demonstrates that mobility is more than movement between localities, and that to dwell is more than to be at a locality. Instead, mobilities and dwelling are both shaped and challenged by strong but shifting power relations and are thus deeply contested. This book was originally published as a special issue of Cultural Studies.

In an era of increasing mobilities, places of residence are still vital. Unlike commuting, migrating or travelling, dwelling usually evokes – at least in modern Western thought – the idea of an immobile, private place to rest. This book explores the places, spaces and practices of dwelling in mobile times, and considers dwelling under the umbrella of broader transformations in society. The manifestations of these transformations are carved out on the level of everyday practices and experiences.

Bringing together eight case studies from Europe, the USA and Asia on subjects such as gentrification, homelessness and displaced persons, multi-local and diasporic lifeworlds, professional elites, and tourism, the book explores various and complex entanglements of mobilities and dwelling in detail. In doing so, the contributors critically analyse who may be, or has to be, mobile under which circumstances at present. This book thus demonstrates that mobility is more than movement between localities, and that to dwell is more than to be at a locality. Instead, mobilities and dwelling are both shaped and challenged by strong but shifting power relations and are thus deeply contested. This book was originally published as a special issue of Cultural Studies.