Affecting geospatial technologies: Toward a feminist politics of emotion

Mei Po Kwan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Building on earlier contributions to feminist understanding of geospatial technologies (GT), I seek to further develop feminist perspectives on GT along new directions. I argue that an attention to the importance of affect (feelings and emotions) and the performative nature of GT practices offers a distinctive critical edge to feminist work on GT. I emphasize the need for GT practitioners to contest the dominant meanings and uses of GT, and to participate in struggles against the oppressive or violent effects of these technologies. I argue that only when emotions, feelings, values, and ethics become an integral part of our geospatial practices can we hope that the use of GT will lead to a less violent and more just world.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)22-34
Number of pages13
JournalProfessional Geographer
Volume59
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Affect
  • Emotion
  • Feminist politics
  • GIS
  • Geospatial technologies

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geography, Planning and Development
  • Earth-Surface Processes

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