Faculty of Social Sciences » Interculturalism, Migration and Minorities Research Centre » General » Borderlands and third spaces: disability research
Borderlands and third spaces: disability research
Programme coordinator: Patrick Devlieger
Mission: The research was initiated at KU Leuven in 1999 as the ‘Culture and Disability Research Program’ and since 2006 became an integral part of the IMMRC. The core of the program entails the social, experiential, and symbolic meaning of im/perfections of individuals, societies, and the multiple life worlds of contemporary peoples with respect to variations in human bodies, societies, and cultures. Having grown from the discipline of social and cultural anthropology, the program also draws its inspiration widely in the social and human sciences to direct inquiry into the nature of failure, error, disruption, unfortunate events, and recovery, well-being, and human development in cultural contexts.
A pivotal role of the program is to bridge theory and practice, in an effort to clarify and make visible what presents itself in an emergent form in our contemporary societies. Such inquiry leads also to foundational thought and practices that structure society and culture. Imperfection, moral and legal lack, bodily and mental disability present pressing questions to contemporary and historically grown institutions, thought, and values. The central role is further to develop concepts and methods for research in this area, being fully aware that contemporary issues demand new approaches.
A number of research lines are currently being developed. These research lines build upon the strengths and resources of the faculty and students.
- The limits and possibilities of cultural categorizations and discourses
- The critique of sensory formations
- The preservation and emergence of circles of concern (that involve people, animals, and plants) into new localities
- Local practices in institutional settings
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‘Worldmaking at Anandwan Village of Persons with Leprosy (India)’
- Supervisor: Patrick Devlieger
- Doctorandus: Joao Coelho
- Funding: self-supporting
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‘Inside the institution: An Anthropological Perspective on Worldmaking by People with Mental Retardation in a Flemish Residence’
- Supervisor: Patrick Devlieger
- Doctorandus: Frank Renders
- Funding: self-supporting
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‘Mental retardation in orthodox Jewish settings’
- Supervisor: Patrick Devlieger
- Doctorandus: Carolina Valdebenito
- Funding: scholarship from outside
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‘The making of autism in China’
- Supervisor: Patrick Devlieger
- Doctorandus: Cindy De Clerck
- Funding: self-supporting
Website Culture and Disability International Network (CADIN)
