Privilege, Agency and Affect ― Understanding the Production and Effects of Action

The concept of agency has long been drawn upon – overtly or implicitly – in contemporary social theory. However, theory shapes how human agency and its determinants are understood and can be built upon. The last few years have seen growing interest in notions of privilege and affect. How might these newer concepts affect our understanding of agency? Does human agency need to make new modes of sociability possible, and how does privilege constrain or facilitate possibilities for social change? Privilege, Agency and Affect seeks to answer some of these questions, showcasing recent work by UK, North American, Australasian and Scandinavian writers at the cutting edge of sociology, social theory and education. Strongly empirical as well as theoretical in the approach taken, it offers a timely extension of foundations laid in early 21st century social theory and debate.

Claire Maxwell is a Senior Lecturer in the Sociology of Education in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Institute of Education, University of London, UK. Together with Peter Aggleton, she is leading an ESRC supported study entitled Top Girls: Middle Class Privilege and Agentic Practice.

Peter Aggleton is Strategic Professor in Education and Health in the Centre for Health and Social Research at The University of New South Wales, Australia. He holds visiting professorial positions in the UK and in Norway. He edits three major journals (Culture, Health & Sexuality, Sex Education and the Health Education Journal). Together with Sally Power and Michael Reiss he edits the prestigious book series Foundations and Futures of Education.