Simon Dickinson
Lecturer in Human Geography

Profile

Broad research specialisms

My current research focuses on voluntary sector organisations that emerge after natural disasters, and explores how they demonstrate fidelity to that event by pushing for forms of ethical, political and social change during recovery. This work specifically explores responses to the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010-11 in New Zealand and works to examine how disaster events might release previously subjugated ethical and political claims to the city.

In addition to this research, I have conducted previous work that explores the role of insurance in the disaster landscape, the emotional landscapes of forced relocation and the emergent forms of social connectedness that occur in crisis events

In addition to the disaster/crisis context, I have a research interest in the political possibilities of the voluntary sector. I am broadly interested in the organisational practices that foster alternative logics of performative expression, political engagement and cultural imagination alongside formations of political rationalities and ideologies. Much of this builds upon the recent work of Jane Wills, Paul Cloke and David Featherstone.

I have experience in a broad range of qualitative methods. My current research emerges from participatory observation techniques (including interview and ethnographic methods) employed during a time volunteering for post-disaster organisations.  

Qualifications

BSc (Canterbury, NZ)

MSc (Canterbury, NZ)

PhD (Exeter – under examination)

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