Developing the Concept of Belonging Work for Social Research

This article continues the conceptual work of developing a process-oriented perspective on belonging by taking up active engagement affiliation (and disaffiliation) as an undertheorised yet necessary aspect accomplishing belonging. In concept we draw Marx’s notion material activity in forms life and sociological concepts face-work emotion work. We conceptualise relational concerned with shaping situational interactions; webs relationships; social boundaries; materials rhythms dimensions is conditioned categorisations patterns inclusion exclusion through which it takes place relation to specific life. The offers theoretically integrative sensitising that highlights dynamics belonging, providing insight inspiration researchers inquiring into its associated consequences throughout research process.