Funded by the ESRC (2005–2008) and conducted with Jenny Pickerill at the University of Leicester, this project explored what the researchers termed “autonomous geographies”: spaces where communities question prevailing laws and social norms, and actively create non-capitalist, collective forms of politics, identity, and citizenship.

The research pursued four central questions: what core beliefs and visions animate autonomous groups; how those ideas are translated into practical everyday action; what kinds of spaces are created for participation and identity formation; and what it means to live across overlapping, in-between social spaces.

Three case study domains were examined: sustainable eco-communities, radical social centres, and community-based anti-privatisation networks. The project employed participatory action research methods: observational fieldwork, life histories, interviews, and focus groups, to develop an understanding grounded in the lived experience of activists.

Outputs were designed to reach beyond academia, including a dedicated public website, an accessible report, and video documentation.

Co-investigator: Jenny Pickerill (University of Leicester) Funder: ESRC (RES-000-23-0957) | Duration: 2005–2008