Techno-material entanglements and the social organisation of difference

Heil, Tilmann ORCID: 0000-0001-9337-8448, Meissner, Fran ORCID: 0000-0001-8237-9875 and Vertovec, Nikolaus ORCID: 0000-0003-4244-8623 (2025). Techno-material entanglements and the social organisation of difference. Ethnic and Racial Studies. pp. 1-17. Routledge. ISSN 1466-4356

Full text not available from this repository.

DOI:10.1080/01419870.2025.2469694

Link to the document: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/01419...

Abstract

Vertovec’s social organisation of difference framework links three research areas. They study difference and its social importance: encounters, representations, and structural configurations. This paper argues for an expansion of the framework. It should recognise that those three domains are co-constituted and mediated by technical transformations and material sedimentations. An expanded focus is vital to address old and new inequalities. While Vertovec’s original framework paid limited attention to techno-material entanglements, we highlight their importance. The material and the technical matter at the intersections of encounters, representations, and configurations. Where possible, we point to examples. We thus call for more research and cross-disciplinary dialogue beyond the social sciences. We re-emphasise the framework’s usefulness for this and for engaging with (urban) complexities and difference. As a think-piece, the article shows the benefits of nuancing Vertovec’s framework by considering the technical and material.

Item Type:

Journal Article

Creators:

Creators	Email	ORCID	ORCID Put Code
Heil, Tilmann	tilmann.heil@uni-koeln.de	orcid.org/0000-0001-9337-8448	175871535
Meissner, Fran	UNSPECIFIED	orcid.org/0000-0001-8237-9875	UNSPECIFIED
Vertovec, Nikolaus	UNSPECIFIED	orcid.org/0000-0003-4244-8623	UNSPECIFIED