Assuming a network environment, the reorganization of various aspects of our "movement" is in progress. In social media, location information and information such as behavioral trajectories and access history are being utilized, which is transforming our communication and human relationships.
This project is based on the perspective of "mobile method" proposed by Buscher, Urry, Witchger et al. (2011) and the trend of "locative media" research (for example, Wilken & Goggin, 2014). It attempts to connect social studies of "movement" of things, information, ideas, and design research of social fabrication.
In this project, based on geography and sociology, we understand the diverse "life documents" that people continue to generate (sometimes inevitably) in their daily lives. Then explore research methodologies and research designs.
In 2022, we will look into SFC and the surrounding area. Located on a remote land far from the city center, SFC is a facility that forces us to "move" and is suitable for that quest. COVID-19 pandemic severely restricted our movement, but it also showed the diverse possibilities of working and living. We will explore the possibilities of the campus and surrounding areas.
This project proceeds in collaboration with the "Mobile Methods (Practice)" held separately. While "Mobile Methods (theory)" focuses mainly on theoretical research such as methodological development, study, and research design through literature and case studies, "Mobile Methods (practice)" seeks to apply knowledge. By actually repeating production, installation, and operation, "Mobile Methods (theory)" is practically complemented. Students are required to register for these two projects.
Faculty members:
- Member: Fumitoshi Kato, Hajime Ishikawa
- Sub-member: Daijiro Mizuno (Visiting Professor, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University), Kana Ohashi (Assistant Professor, Faculty of Communication Studies, Tokyo Keizai University)