Author Login

Correspondence to Author: Stefen Verdove, Sylbie Genost. 

Faculté des Arts, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada.

Abstract:

In the fall of 2023, we reached out to Steven Vertovec and invited him to take part in this special issue on systematic methodologies when used by academics, especially anthropologists, in the context of their work on migration challenges in the era of super-diversity. We truly appreciate him willing to answer our questions on this matter, which seems to be quite important. Bob W. White moderated the interview, which was conducted via Zoom on January 17, 2024. The transcript, which was obtained with the help of Maude Arsenault, was edited by Sylvie Genest, who created a version that was appropriate for publication. Professor Vertovec accepted the version published here after it was proofread and adjusted. The final writing takes the shape of a series of subjects on which Professor Vertovec expresses his thoughts, liberally drawing from his prior research, extensive experience, and unprompted kindness. My academic background in religious studies early in my career had a significant impact on my methodology. I was engrossed in Geertz’s work on cultural models of reality, which are found to be highly systematic, especially when it comes to interpreting cultural systems and how people see and project these models onto the outside world [1]. As a religious scholar, I was interested in examining the connections between myth, ritual, values, and daily activities in order to comprehend how these components contribute to religious systems. However, the attention switched to the study of variety in urban settings. Contextualization therefore became essential to my research. Context works as a system that is constantly modified by the interactions among its constituent pieces. My academic mentors from my time at Oxford, especially James Clyde Mitchell, helped me gain a deeper comprehension of systemic thinking. The situational analysis of Mitchell and Gluckman, which entails examining several levels of context around events, had a significant influence on my work, particularly with regard to approach. A key principle of the Manchester School was “situational selection,” which Gluckman presented. In my opinion, this captures systemic thinking in an engaging way, allowing one to move between many levels of analysis [2].

Citation:

Dr.Stefen Verdove, Super-Diversity And Systems Thinking: Selected Moments From A Conversation With Steven Vertovec. World Journal of Ecology 2025.