Can people talk about their past practices? Challenges, opportunities, and practical applications of biographic inquiry for geographic research on consumption

Abstract

Within human geography, there is increasing interest in the application of theories of practice for understanding resource consumption and for pursuing sustainability goals. In stressing the routine, performative, and contextual dimensions of action, research on geographies of practice is faced with particular methodological challenges. A lively debate concerns the utility of talk‐based methods for investigating routine practices, such as those relating to everyday consumption. While it has been compellingly argued that people can talk individually or in groups about their practice, as of yet, these methodological debates have not been extended to the question of whether people can talk about past practices over the life course. This is despite the fact that attending to practice dynamics at the life‐course scale can reveal important insights into the intersections of structure, agency, time, and space in consumption practices. Seeking to address this gap, this methodology‐focused paper explores biographic inquiry as an empirical strategy for research on geographies of practice and consumption. After identifying significant challenges in representation associated with researching routine action in general, and past practices in particular, it outlines key learnings garnered during a biographic study on domestic consumption in Ireland. Central methodological features supporting talk‐elicitation include zooming‐in‐and‐out of temporal registers, multi‐modality, and phased implementation. The paper concludes that people can talk about past practices in often very detailed, intricate ways and that retrospective talk is a valuable tool for understanding practice dynamics at the life‐course scale.

Social practice theory and household water demand: A review of literature and research evidence

“…Water diaries Allon and Sofoulis (2006), Anderson (2016), Breadsell and Morrison (2020), Greene and Royston (2021).…”

“…As discussed, several articles use historical methods to analyze everyday practices of water use (see Anderson, 2016; Chappells et al, 2011; Greene & Royston, 2021; Hand et al, 2005; Quitzau & Røpke, 2009; Shove, 2003). These methods enable the examination of the evolution of social practices by tracking variations in the performance of a practice and the social and material systems that drive them.…”

“…,Zhen et al (2019),Breadsell et al (2019),Browne et al (2019),Foden et al (2019),Aro (2020),Breadsell and Morrison (2020),Hagejärd et al (2020),Gram-Hanssen et al (2020),Mguni et al (2020),Satur and Lindsay (2020),Greene and Royston (2021),Greene et al (2022).…”

“…,Hobman et al (2017),Jack (2017),Hess et al (2018),Mela et al (2018),Greene and Royston (2021),Greene et al (2022).Mixed methodsStrengers (2011a),Foulds et al (2013),Browne et al (2014),Delaney and Fam (2015),Pullinger et al (2015),Thornton and Riedy (2015),Breadsell et al (2019),Yates and Evans (2016),Mela et al (2018),Foden et al (2019) Breadsell and Morrison (2020),Greene and Royston (2021),Greene et al (2022)Davies and Doyle (2015),Fam and Lopes (2015),Thornton and Riedy (2015),Kuijer (2017), Browne et al (2019), Watson et al (2020), Hoolohan and Browne (2020).…”

Playing games with the weather: A card game method for engaging households in conversations about renewable energy generation and everyday practice

“…Among them are daily diary photographs, video re‐enactments of daily routines, home tours, visual scrapbooks, and comic book scenarios (de Vet, 2013; Kuttner et al, 2017; Maller & Strengers, 2018; Pink & Mackley, 2012). See also Greene and Royston (2022).…”