Micro-practices of societal transformation? Mid-term conference of the CESCAME project

Global environmental change introduces new risks and vulnerabilities to urban populations, including those in Europe. Whether and how societies are responding and adapting to these challenges are questions of ever-heightening urgency. We believe it is of critical importance to explore the often-overlooked everyday practices through which people ‘quietly’ address these issues and sometimes unconsciously contribute to environmental and social well-being.

Our research uncovers fascinating examples of everyday “inconspicuous” micro-actions that are unintentionally and “quietly sustainable” (Smith and Jehlička 2013; Ferenčuhová 2022). From repurposing homes and DIY reconstructions, to nurturing local green spaces or reducing household food waste, these mundane practices offer valuable insights into fostering a more sustainable world. Without idealising them, we view these practices as sources of ordinary innovations that prioritize reduced resource consumption, mutual aid, recycling, DIY solutions, and sharing.

We also question how these informal practices interact with formal processes and policies aimed at environmental and social sustainability in cities. Do they complement, conflict, or coexist with these larger-scale efforts?

To delve deeper into these findings and bring them in dialogue with research from other contexts, we invite you to our mid-term conference. Join us for two days of stimulating discussions with experts from across Europe as we examine the transformative potential of everyday micro-practices for a more sustainable urban life.

When: 14 – 15 October, 2024
Where: Zasedačka Florenc, 5th floor, Institute of Ethnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Na Florenci 3, Prague, and online
Organized by: CESCAME project team, The Institute of Sociology, Czech Academy of Sciences

Our confirmed speakers are:
Luca Sára Bródy, HUN-REN KRTK Centre for Econonimc and Regional Studies
Laura Berger, Aalto University
Jonas van der Straeten, Technology, Innovation and Society Group, Eindhoven University of Technology
Bianka Plüschke-Altof, Tallin University

Please, register here for in-person and/or for online participation. This will help us to plan the event and to keep you updated with information about this event.