Being there: The social construction of (physical and virtual) copresence

Drawing on pertinent debates in sociology as well as on the extensive research on copresence and proximity in economic geography, we will juxtapose the classical copresence-as-context perspective with the more elaborate... [ view full abstract ]

Drawing on pertinent debates in sociology as well as on the extensive research on copresence and proximity in economic geography, we will juxtapose the classical copresence-as-context perspective with the more elaborate copresence-as-perception approach. We then systematically differentiate copresence from related spatial concepts such as colocation, proximity and distance, before we seek to push beyond the prevailing binary perception of copresence/absence towards a more gradual and nuanced understanding of different forms of copresence and absence. Finally, we will indicate with preliminary findings from ongoing research in the field of pharmaceutical research and music production how a sharper conceptual focus on the concept of copresence potentially can enrich our current understanding of interaction dynamics, particularly in face of the increasingly important role of digital technology.