Spatial Scales and the Analysis of Biographies and Family (Hi)Stories

The analysis of spatial scales and re-scaling processes is a research perspective that has had a large impact, not only on urban sociology and the sociology of space, but on all social sciences. It has provided an important gateway to look beyond the focus on nation-states and to include the interconnections and interrelatedness of different scales, such as neighborhood, city, or region. Interestingly, the concepts of scale and biography have rarely been brought together, although references to different spatial scales are an inherent part of life stories and life histories. If biographies are seen as being not only temporally, but also spatially shaped, this aspect of multiple scales in life (hi)stories acquires central importance.

In this session we are interested in contributions which deal with the role of spatial forms and various scales in life and family (hi)stories. We invite papers addressing this topic through empirical research and discussing methodological, conceptual, and theoretical insights.

Questions include, but are not limited to the following:

• In which ways are different spatial scales (neighborhood, city, state, the world...) interlinked when people tell the story of their lives and that of their families?
• How do socio-historically shaped foci on specific spatial scales impact biographical courses?
• How can biographical narratives help to analyze different spaces on particular scales or the interrelations between different spaces?
• Are there differences in the way spaces/spatial scales are narratively conceptualized in different regional or cultural contexts?