Spatial Theories of Education ― Policy and Geography Matters

This collection of original work, within the sociology of education, draws on the 'spatial turn' in contemporary social theory.

The premise of this book is that drawing on theories of space allows for a more sophisticated understanding of the competing rationalities underlying educational policy change, social inequality and cultural practices. The contributors work a spatial dimension into the consideration of educational phenomena and illustrate its explanatory potential in a range of domains: urban renewal, globalisation, race, markets and school choice, suburbanisation, regional and rural settings, and youth and student culture.

Kalervo N. Gulson is a lecturer in Educational Studies in the Faculty of Education, Charles Sturt University, Australia. He is on the editorial board of Race, Ethnicity and Education, and on the editorial advisory board of Critical Studies in Education (previously Melbourne Studies in Education). His research employs spatial theories to explore the interplay of urban change, education policy and identity/subjectivity. He has published in journals such as Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education and Journal of Education Policy.

Colin Symes lectures in the School of Education at Macquarie University. He is a co-editor of the Asia-Pacific Journal of Teacher Education. His book Setting the Record Straight: A Material History of Classical Music, published by Wesleyan University Press, was a recipient in 2005 of a Deems Taylor Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Recent articles of his have appeared in Teaching in Higher Education, British Journal of Music Education, Popular Music and Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education.