Lost property

Exploring the sustainability and circularity of lost objects.

This pilot project seeks to explore the lost property and potential connections to sustainability and notions of the circular economy.

Abstract concepts of absence, nothing and loss are becoming increasingly intriguing phenomena for sociologists interested in the everyday. However, whilst their theoretical connotations are being progressively discussed the empirical investigation into these phenomena remains absent.

This project seeks to translate the abstract notion of loss into an empirical and material focused study.

Aims and objectives

Our aims for this project are as follows:

• To examine the anticipation of loss and how this affects objects differently.
• To explore how lost objects are replaced and substituted, and to investigate what happens to objects which are lost and found.
• To explore how lost property connects to broader issues of waste and sustainable resource use.
• To contribute to debates on the sociology of every day, developing an agenda which explores people’s relationships to objects and the relevance of this for sustainable practice.

Research design

Using a qualitative approach the research design involves interviews with:

• lost property offices;
• households;
• museums;
• repair cafes/re-use networks.

This project is part of the Circular Economics Working Group.  It is led by Dr Helen Holmes, with Ulrike Ehgartner providing research support.

Events