Relationality and anti-oppressive geographic praxis: an introduction to the interventions section

Abstract

In this introduction to the interventions section titled Relationality and Anti-Oppressive Geographic Praxis, I examine how feminist geography has contributed to a concept of relationality within geography and how a deeper engagement with the concept may advance anti-oppressive praxis in the discipline. I introduce four intervention pieces included in this section that explore relational approaches to geographic research, teaching, and institutional practices.

Keywords:

• Decolonial methodology
• feminist geography
• feminist methodology
• geographic praxis
• relationality

Acknowledgements

I am thankful to Minelle Mahtani for co-organizing the panel at the 2019 AAG meeting that inspired this interventions section. I would also like to thank the contributors, Madelaine C. Cahuas, Hanieh Haji Molana, Eden Kinkaid, Aparna Parikh, A. Marie Ranjbar, and Megan Dwyer Baumann, whose thoughtful conversations and feedback on the interventions section proposals and drafts were critical to its development. Finally, many thanks to Kanchana Ruwanpura for guiding each of the contributions through the review process. It has been a joy working with you all.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Kelsey Emard

Kelsey Emard is an Instructor and Assistant Professor (Senior Research) in Geography at Oregon State University. Her work contributes to the fields of political ecology, environmental justice, and feminist methodologies.