A new network direction in housing studies: the case of actor-network theory

This paper explores the network as an increasingly popular theoretical paradigm in institutional and sociological readings of market, governance and housing research and seeks to build upon the recent special edition of Housing, Policy and Society (2007, Vol. 24, No.1) by positioning actor-network theory as a new theoretical direction for housing research. Although the special edition provided a comprehensive and timely discussion of “the most relevant strands of network theory” (Mullins & Rhodes, 2007:10) in housing studies (social housing in particular), the absence of a detailed discussion of actor-network theory is remiss given its growing recognition in the post-structural social sciences more broadly. The paper provides an overview of actor-network theory and highlights potential areas where it can contribute to housing studies.