Dynamic bodies in theories of social practice: vibrant materials and more-than-human assemblages

This chapter is concerned with how human bodies are conceptualised in theories of practice. It stems from two contentions. The first is that many dynamic aspects of bodies appear under-played in work drawing on theories of practice. This is an issue when it comes to understanding topics like health and wellbeing and how bodies (human and non-human) are made, impacted by, and implicated in, social practices. The second contention is that where bodies are considered, a focus on humans as the carriers of practices can discount the role of non-human bodies and materialities, maintaining boundaries between biological and social thought. In discussing these points, I introduce two different ways bodies could be foregrounded in social practice theories: as vibrant and dynamic materials and as more-than-human assemblages.