This website is a space to map out and develop the emerging field of what we term 'surface studies': an area concerned with working on and with different kinds of surfaces, including - but not restricted to - skin, screens, lines, interfaces, fabric, and the earth.
It is the main organising node of the surface studies network, designed to bring together those researching or interested in surfaces.
The surface studies network is run by Rebecca Coleman (Sociology, Goldsmiths, University of London) and Liz Oakley-Brown (English and Creative Writing, Lancaster University). Despite coming from distinct disciplines and working on different historical periods and cultures, we began thinking about the ways in which surfaces were everywhere and nowhere; cropping up in different readings that we were doing – on skin and tactility, mirrors and interaction design, lines, walking and making, and in ideas about spatial and temporal change and mapping. However, with a few exceptions, we noted that surfaces have not really been explored in and of themselves. Surface studies is therefore an attempt to direct attention to the co-ordination, textures and experiences of surfaces.
It is the main organising node of the surface studies network, designed to bring together those researching or interested in surfaces.
The surface studies network is run by Rebecca Coleman (Sociology, Goldsmiths, University of London) and Liz Oakley-Brown (English and Creative Writing, Lancaster University). Despite coming from distinct disciplines and working on different historical periods and cultures, we began thinking about the ways in which surfaces were everywhere and nowhere; cropping up in different readings that we were doing – on skin and tactility, mirrors and interaction design, lines, walking and making, and in ideas about spatial and temporal change and mapping. However, with a few exceptions, we noted that surfaces have not really been explored in and of themselves. Surface studies is therefore an attempt to direct attention to the co-ordination, textures and experiences of surfaces.