What is the Interdisciplinary Function2Flow Research Unit?

Our Interdisciplinary Research Unit is comprised of new and experienced academics researching the FUNCTIONS, FORMS, FEELINGS and FLOWS of MOVING with others of a human and more-than-human kind.  

Across the academic disciplines and applied fields of study where the human sciences have taken root, we cultivate a motion-sensing phenomenological attitude and mobilize the methodological resources of the human sciences in service of personal, interpersonal, professional and scholarly practices.

The Interdisciplinary Function2Flow Research Unit explores:

  • How we can recognize the primacy of movement and articulate the functions, forms, feelings and flows characteristic of moving within particular lifeworlds;
  • What can be considered the effects and affects of enhancing motion sensitivity in these different lifeworlds;  
  • Where and when self-affirmation and responsiveness to others feature in these motion-sensing lifeworld practices;
  • To what extent the descriptive, evocative language of life phenomenology can be utilized to highlight the salient functions, forms, feelings and flows of life-affirming practices.

For more information on the phenomenological rationale for the Interdisciplinary F2F Research Unit, please see:

Smith, S.J. (2016). Movement and Place, Encyclopedia of Educational Theory and Philosophy (M. Peters, Ed.). New York: Springer. doi:10.1007/978-981-287-532-7_92-1

Smith, S. J., Saevi, T., Lloyd, R. J., and Churchill, S. (2017), Editorial for the special issue “Life Phenomenology: Movement, Affect and Language” of Phenomenology & Practice, 11 (1), 2017, 1-4.

Become a member of the Interdisciplinary Function2Flow Research Unit today! Sign up here!
  • When?– the first Wednesday of each month – noon EST (9am Vancouver; 5pm UK; 6pm Spain)
  • Who?– graduate students, new &/or experienced researchers – please invite colleagues, all welcome
  • What?– F2F-themed discussions for research project planning & sharing
  • Why?– the senses matter, particularly the kinaesthetic sense, in terms of the ways relational postural, positional, gestural and energetic/soul awareness may cultivate joy/healing/wellness.

During this monthly online meeting, we share how the Function2Flow model (Function-Form-Feeling-Flow) can be used to formulate empirical research questions, approach data gathering/creation (including observing, interviewing, and first-person writing), and guide the data analysis and formulation of study findings.