Affective journeys in transatlantic slavery heritage : an auto-ethnographic study in Liverpool
Start Date
14-4-2023 11:15 AM
End Date
14-4-2023 12:30 PM
Description
This study draws upon non-representational theory and affective atmosphere to explore how two researcher-tourists affectively confront the slavery discourses of Liverpool. A performative auto- ethnography was conducted to exhibit the process of how complex and embodied feelings emerged in this understudied slavery space. The findings suggest affective encounters in slavery spaces represent a highly nuanced, intricate and personalised assemblage of sensing and feeling, shaped by uncertain, shifting and multiplicity of affective atmospheres co-constructed under the interplay between individuals, their encountered objects and bodies. Our reflections further unveil how visitors’ personal characteristics (identity, cultural values and understanding of Humanism) conflict with slavery discourses, and together shape their memorable journey. This study extends debates on human affect and embodiment in tourism scholarship by providing a cross-cultural and more-than-representational lens. The findings advance the human-centered approach in experience design which should privilege visitors’ personal characteristics and their embodied and deeper affective experiences.
Document Type
Presentation
Recommended Citation
Li, T., & Chan, T. H. (2023, April). Affective journeys in transatlantic slavery heritage: An auto-ethnographic study in Liverpool. Presented at the International Symposium on Africa-China Relations in an Era of Uncertain Future. Lingnan University, Hong Kong.
Affective journeys in transatlantic slavery heritage : an auto-ethnographic study in Liverpool
This study draws upon non-representational theory and affective atmosphere to explore how two researcher-tourists affectively confront the slavery discourses of Liverpool. A performative auto- ethnography was conducted to exhibit the process of how complex and embodied feelings emerged in this understudied slavery space. The findings suggest affective encounters in slavery spaces represent a highly nuanced, intricate and personalised assemblage of sensing and feeling, shaped by uncertain, shifting and multiplicity of affective atmospheres co-constructed under the interplay between individuals, their encountered objects and bodies. Our reflections further unveil how visitors’ personal characteristics (identity, cultural values and understanding of Humanism) conflict with slavery discourses, and together shape their memorable journey. This study extends debates on human affect and embodiment in tourism scholarship by providing a cross-cultural and more-than-representational lens. The findings advance the human-centered approach in experience design which should privilege visitors’ personal characteristics and their embodied and deeper affective experiences.