No Power without Knowledge: A Discursive Subjectivities Approach to Investigate Climate-Induced (Im)mobility and Wellbeing

Abstract

During the last few decades we have seen a rapid growth in the body of literature on climate-induced human mobility or environmental migration. Meanwhile, in-depth people-centred studies investigating people’s (im)mobility decision-making as a highly complex and sociopsychological process are scarce. This is problematic as human decision-making behaviour and responses—including their success or failure—closely align with people’s wellbeing status. In this article, elaborations around why these under-representations of research narratives and existing methods will guide us towards a solution. The article proposes a conceptual model to help fill this gap that is inspired by Michel Foucault’s power and knowledge relationship and discursive subjectivities. The conceptual idea introduced by the article offers as a replicable approach and potential way forward that can support widening empirical research in the area of climate-induced (im)mobility decision-making and wellbeing.

‘I do not like her going to the shelter’: Stories on gendered disaster (im)mobility and wellbeing loss in coastal Bangladesh

“…This was because knowledge, and the production of knowledge, was central to better understanding the structure. In other words, to understand an object (such as text, action or behaviour), it is necessary to study the system of knowledge that has produced the object, not only the object itself (Ayeb-Karlsson et al 2018, 2019b, 2020Ayeb-Karlsson 2020c). This is also the way that this study applies the notion of Trapped Populations or immobility.…”

“…Many of these terms, have been developed and shaped by Foucauldian literature. Discourse, power and knowledge are not Foucauldian concepts, however, Foucauldian inspired scholars often supported and shaped their framing (Ayeb-Karlsson et al 2018, 2019b, 2020Ayeb-Karlsson 2020c). The Foucauldian inspired conceptualisation around (1) discourses 4 expanded beyond 'language 'to include practices and behaviour (this differentiated from the framing of the 1950s structural linguistics), (2) power relations were enabled within a flexible and temporary network of people (unlike the Marxist top-down idea where power is obtained by the state), and (3) (Foucault 1972(Foucault , 1977(Foucault , 1981(Foucault , 1982(Foucault , 2002.…”

A review of mental health and wellbeing under climate change in small island developing states (SIDS)

“…This definition has been extensively critiqued (e.g. Galderisi et al 2015 ) leading to Ayeb-Karlsson ( 2020 , p 2) suggesting wellbeing ‘as a subjective and dynamic state of feeling healthy and happy that ties into life satisfaction and influences a person’s (or a collective’s) psychological and social function’.…”

A review of estimating population exposure to sea-level rise and the relevance for migration

“…Paramount are the moral, ethical, and legal debates regarding population stabilisation, land ownership, resources available, and decision-making for moving or staying. This review’s value in these discussions is demonstrating that (i) despite the uncertainties and unknowns, it is clear that coastal changes and consequences for populations will be large and require significant action, (ii) there is time now to consider thoroughly the situations and options, so this should be done rather than waiting for more urgency, and (iii) many aspects of the topic need to be decoupled to avoid repeating myths or reproducing discursive narratives that uphold global power relations, especially those covering ‘climate refugees’ (Kelman 2019 , Ayeb-Karlsson 2020 ).…”