CSPS
The Centre for Space, Place and Society (CSPS) is a platform of collaboration and outreach for researchers from four chair groups within Wageningen University & Research (WUR), straddling the environmental and social sciences.
Our aim is to facilitate and advance creative, critical and engaging scholarship within and beyond the social sciences. Learn more about the Centre for Space, Place, and Society, join one of the research clusters, or get in touch with us at administration.csps@wur.nl
Centre for Space, Place and Society
By facilitating research collaborations and various activities, both within and outside the four chair groups, the Centre for Space, Place, and Society explores the dynamics of spatial and social anchoring, connections, and circulations, with special attention to issues of inequality, exclusion, difference, and plurality. The Centre for Space, Place, and Society aims to translate this knowledge into practical action in the pursuit of a more just and equitable world.
Research collaboration
The four chair groups that together form the Centre for Space, Place, and Society are Health and Society (HSO), Rural Sociology (RSO), Sociology of Development and Change (SDC), and Cultural Geography (GEO).
> Chair Group Health and Society
The Health and Society group focuses on the sociological study of public health, health promotion, and health protection, in resource poor and research rich contexts, with emphasis on (1) the social, natural and built environment, and (2) the role of actors and social institutions in advancing health and wellbeing.
> Chair Group Rural Sociology
The Rural Sociology group studies the dynamics of food provisioning, agrarian change, and rural and regional development with an international comparative perspective. They study and analyze processes of change using various critical sociological approaches, employing both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
> Chair Group Sociology of Development and Change
The Sociology of Development and Change group focuses on the structures and practices of development and change with a particular scientific interest in inequality, marginalization and political agency. We are a politically engaged and interdisciplinary research and educational centre in development studies, political ecology, anthropology of law and crisis and disaster studies.
> Chair Group Cultural Geography
The Cultural Geography group values social theories in all their spatial expressions. Their work centers on mobility and the cultural politics of the landscape in relation to spatial theories. By researching space, place, and culture and engaging with current, historical, and future dynamics of societies worldwide, the group pays special attention to questions of inequality, exclusion, mobility, and diversity. They also utilize critical tourism studies across all aspects of social and environmental sciences, unraveling relational complexities in wilderness to urban environments.
Aim
Specific objects of the Centre for Space, Place and Society include
- Produce high quality and internationally acclaimed conceptual and empirical research, drawing on innovative and transdisciplinary methods and perspectives.
- Support and encourage collaboration among creative and critical scholars inside and outside of academia, through research, education and exchange activities.
- Contribute towards positively impacting society not only in terms of advancing knowledge but also ensuring that this knowledge can empower and be of practical and political use to social groups, as well as to draw attention to processes that marginalize and disenfranchise vulnerable people.
- Facilitate high quality knowledge transfer and collaboration through activities including publication, education, public presentation and outreach, workshops, and conferences.
- Inspire and nurture budding social scientists and early career researchers, and in doing so contribute towards the development of a dynamic space in which critical social science is practiced, celebrated and supported.
CSPS Team
Scientific Director CSPS
Engagement Coordinator CSPS
Communication Officer CSPS
Research and Activities
The Centre for Space, Place, and Society places a strong emphasis on knowledge transfer, where experts and researchers share intriguing insights. We addresses pressing global challenges through four research directions. By facilitating various thematic research clusters, CSPS enables a wide range of activities.
Knowledge Transfer
Within the Centre for Space, Place, and Society thrives an active and inspiring culture of knowledge transfer. Dedicated experts and researchers share their insights and findings in captivating ways, fostering an environment conducive to advancing socially relevant knowledge in the field of social sciences.
CSPS Research Directions
The Centre for Space, Place, and Society focuses on urgent global challenges related to health, poverty, food, and environmental degradation. Our work is organized around four research lines: i) Global Health, ii) Development and Transformation, iii) Agriculture, Food, Rural Areas, and Nature, and iv) Migration, Mobility, and Tourism.
CSPS Research Clusters
We have several research clusters that revolve around specific themes: Conflict@WUR | Political Ecology | The politics of space and place | Tourism | Health and Environment | Migration and Mobility | Agrarian Change | Foodscapes | Political Agency at the Grassroots | Disaster and Risk | Transformative Learning Hub
Some clusters meet monthly to discuss field developments, while others primarily organize events like workshops and lectures. Anyone interested can join one (or more) of these clusters. You don’t need to be affiliated with one of the chair groups to become a member. Reach out to the cluster coordinators for more information or contact us via administration.csps@wur.nl.
CSPS Activities
The activities of the Centre for Space, Place, and Society include, among others,
- Facilitating and funding events and activities promoted by researchers from the four chair groups. Twice a year the steering committee will ask for proposals of these from all researchers. These events and activities can include, but are not limited to:
- Hosting guest lecturers
- Themed workshops, writeshops and conferences
- Writing retreats
- Joint publications (e.g. special issue of a journal, edited book)
- Discussion, debating and public sessions
- Reading groups
- Acquisition initiatives leading to grant proposals
- Building a network of interested researchers within and beyond WUR who will be informed about opportunities, activities and events unfolding within CSPS.
- Hosting an annual lecture, bringing together researchers from the four chair groups and beyond under a particular topic, presented by a leading international scholar in the field.
- Hosting an annual CSPS day, bringing together researchers from the four chair groups and beyond to explore, discuss and develop potential new avenues to advance social sciences.
CSPS Location
The Centre for Space, Place, and Society is located at Wageningen Campus, within the buildings of Leeuwenborch and Gaia. These house the environmental and social sciences of Wageningen University & Research.
Wageningen Campus
Situated in the picturesque town of Wageningen in the Netherlands, Wageningen Campus serves as a vibrant hub of knowledge and innovation in the fields of agriculture, food, environment, and health. This remarkable location hosts the world’s leading research institutes, university facilities, and international organizations, all dedicated to addressing global challenges in sustainability and life sciences.
Leeuwenborch Building (Wageningen)
Leeuwenborch is a prominent academic building housing the social sciences at Wageningen University. Situated centrally on the campus, Leeuwenborch offers an inspiring environment for students and researchers engaged in societal, economic, and policy issues related to agriculture, food, and the environment.
Gaia Building (Wageningen)
Gaia is a dynamic and forward-looking education and research facility at Wageningen University. As one of the most prominent buildings on the campus, Gaia focuses on the study of natural resources, environmental sciences, and sustainability. Talented students and dedicated researchers come together here to develop innovative solutions for the complex challenges in land use, biodiversity, and climate change.
Contact CSPS
The Centre for Space, Place, and Society is a vibrant community of critical scholars. Reach out to us for further inquiries, collaboration opportunities, or to join one of our activities. You can contact us via email at administration.csps@wur.nl. You can also find more information on our Contact Page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CSPS?
CSPS stands for the Centre for Space, Place, and Society. We are a platform of collaboration and outreach for researchers from four chair groups within Wageningen University & Research (WUR), straddling the environmental and social sciences. We focus on addressing pressing global challenges related to space, place, and societal dynamics.
Where is CSPS located?
As part of Wageningen University & Research, CSPS is situated within the Wageningen Campus in the picturesque town of Wageningen, Netherlands.
What activities are organized by CSPS?
CSPS organizes a wide range of activities, including research clusters, workshops, seminars, and lectures. These activities delve into topics such as conflict, political ecology, tourism, health, migration, and more. Learn more about our Activities.
How can I get in touch with CSPS?
To reach out for inquiries, collaboration opportunities, or to join our activities, you can contact us via email at administration.csps@wur.nl. You can also find more information on our Contact Page.
Centre for Space, Place and Society 