Movement, mobility and identity

One of anthropologist Professor Andrew Dawson's research papers is titled 'Why Marx was a bad driver: Alienation to sensuality in the anthropology of automobility'. The name gives an insight into his interest in the way movement, mobility and migration informs cultures and communities around the world. "Anthropologists often see cultures and communities as outcomes of people living in places. The fact is that people have always been mobile, and increasingly are mobile, especially with globalisation. So, we have to change the way we think about our objects of study," says Professor Dawson. By joining people as they move around in cars or on buses, he gets a unique understanding into why they're moving in the first place; toward or away from something. "Moving is absolutely natural, it's part of the human condition, unfettered movement". Interview recorded: June 14, 2019. Interviewer: Steve Grimwade. Audio engineer, producer, editor: Chris Hatzis. Co-production: Silvi Vann-Wall and Dr Andi Horvath. Banner image: Getty images.

Om Podcasten

Overhear researchers talk about what they do and why they do it. Hear them obsess, confess and profess - changing the world one experiment, one paper and one interview at a time. Listen in as seasoned eavesdropper Chris Hatzis follows reporters Dr Andi Horvath and Steve Grimwade on their meetings with magnificent minds. Made possible by the University of Melbourne.