Constructions of ‘race’, place and discipline: Geographies of ‘racial’ identity and racism

Abstract

Drawing on key student texts this article examines the development of ‘racial’ studies within geography. Three contemporary approaches are delineated: empiricism, the geography of ‘race’ relations, and social constructionism. Each of these paradigms is seen to constitute different objects and methods of geographical ‘racial’ inquiry. After noting the critiques made of the empiricist and ‘race’ relations perspectives, the essay focuses in more detail on constructionist writings. Some critical observations are offered on social constructionists’ lack of reflexive rigour. The article concludes with a brief commentary on sub‐field's interdisciplinary intellectual trajectory.

Keywords:

• Geography
• empiricism
• ‘race’ relations
• social constructionism