Consumption studies in the global south: a conversation among scholars

This article addresses the collective learnings from studying consumption across various regions to inspire and inform further research on low-carbon transitions and the pursuit of the good life. In order to shed light on the growing dynamism and richness of the field of consumption studies outside traditional circuits of discussion in the so-called global north, this article presents an experimental writing exercise conducted with 16 scholars who study consumption in various countries of the so-called global south, covering countries from Asia, the Middle East, Oceania, Africa and South America. It is structured as a conversation, wherein contributors were asked to reflect on how consumption studies are practised in their regions, and how consumption as an object of study possesses unique features in different countries. The article presents a dialogue of different perspectives and ways of studying consumption, opportunities for expanding this field beyond its origins in more European-rooted scholarly approaches, and insights on the relationship between consumption and challenges posed by the ongoing socio-environmental crisis. After presenting the writing methodology and the structure of the conversation, the text is organised around some key questions posed to the authors who engaged in this dialogue. In doing so, the article highlights the variety and richness of approaches and the specificities of each national context. Additionally, it presents promising new topics that emerged from the collective discussion, crossing different national research contexts.