Practice theory – a one week intensive module will not be held in 2025. We may run something similiar in the future, and we may also hold online or in person workshops.

For the record: Practice theory:  was a one week intensive online course

The course is taught by experts in theories of practice, including Stanley Blue, Ted Schatzki, and Elizabeth Shove. Its aim is to introduce students to various theories of practice. Among the topics we will examine are substantial theoretical ones such as change, power, time, connectivity, variation, materiality, and method as well as aspects of practice theories that have informed research in a number of substantive areas including management, education, health, and energy. To this end, the course blends preparatory work—recorded lectures, podcasts, reading, and various intellectual exercises (all released in March)— with a week of activities, linked exercises, and cross-disciplinary group work (held online in the last week of April).

Participants have a great opportunity not just to learn about theories of practices but to connect and work with researchers from around the world who use, or are interested in using, such theories in their work. For evidence of the kind of fun we have, you can leaf through a scrapbook of postcards, produced by course participants (see also 2021 and 2022). We ended with a capping off ceremony: Hats on, and then hats off to everyone!

To learn more about the content of the course and how it is organised, you can read the 2024 Handbook.

The course is credit bearing: 20 Lancaster MA credits (transferable in the UK system), and the equivalent of 10 ECTS credits.