Biographical Research and New Social Architectures: Challenges and Opportunities for Creative Applications across Europe

The book explores the building blocks of new societal architectures after COVID-19, evolving lifestyle patterns, social connections and relationality, and the role of biographical research in shaping these social futures. It demonstrates how biographical research responds to new societal architectures theoretically and empirically.

Format: Hardback
Length: 246 pages
Publication date: 23 April 2024
Publisher: Bristol University Press

COVID-19 has brought about significant changes in societal architectures, leading to new lifestyle patterns, social connections, and relationality. Biographical research plays a crucial role in exploring these unprecedented circumstances. This first book in the new series Advances in Biographical Research focuses on the place of biographical research in analysing and shaping social futures characterized by physical distancing and isolation, social fragmentation, trauma and vulnerability, including breaks in biographical trajectories. Written by experienced and early career researchers, it demonstrates how biographical research responds to new societal architectures: theoretically and empirically.

One of the key challenges posed by COVID-19 is the need to adapt to new ways of living and working. This has led to changes in lifestyle patterns, such as increased time spent at home, reduced social interactions, and a greater reliance on technology. Social connections have also been affected, with many people feeling isolated and disconnected from their communities. Relationality has been challenged by the need to maintain social distance, which has led to new forms of communication and connection, such as virtual meetings and social media.

Biographical research can help us understand these changes and their impact on individuals and society. It can provide insights into the experiences of individuals during these times, including their coping strategies, resilience, and well-being. It can also help us identify the factors that contribute to social inequality and vulnerability, and develop strategies to address these issues.

One of the key strengths of biographical research is its ability to capture the complexity of human lives. It can provide a detailed account of an individual's life, including their experiences, relationships, and achievements. This can help us to understand the factors that have shaped their lives and to identify the potential for change.

Biographical research can also be used to develop new interventions and policies. For example, it can be used to develop interventions that support individuals who are experiencing social isolation or trauma. It can also be used to develop policies that promote social inclusion and reduce social inequality.

However, there are also challenges associated with biographical research. One of the main challenges is the ethical implications of conducting research with individuals. It is important to ensure that individuals are fully informed about the research and that their consent is obtained. It is also important to ensure that the research is conducted in a respectful and ethical manner.

Another challenge is the availability of data. Many individuals do not have access to their own data, which can make it difficult to conduct research. This can be addressed by developing new data collection methods, such as online surveys and interviews.

In conclusion, COVID-19 has brought about significant changes in societal architectures, leading to new lifestyle patterns, social connections, and relationality. Biographical research plays a crucial role in exploring these unprecedented circumstances. It can provide insights into the experiences of individuals during these times, identify the factors that contribute to social inequality and vulnerability, and develop strategies to address these issues. However, there are also challenges associated with biographical research, and it is important to ensure that it is conducted in a respectful and ethical manner.

Weight: 514g
Dimension: 161 x 241 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781447368908