Youth Work and Cartographic Action: Re-naming Paradoxes – Mapping Utopian Futures

Using Foucauldian and Freirean frameworks, this paper seeks to re-name inherent paradoxes in the history and development of youth and community work, and map ways in which these continue to influence contemporary practices. In highlighting these intrinsic dilemmas which result in amoral praxes, the paper begins to promote an imaginary that not only recognises youth work’s current precarious predicament, but which draws upon and synthesises Trickster typologies and perspectives from Utopian studies to consider and affirm new ways ahead for the Profession which re-state its commitment to critical interruption. Key Words: Control, Governmentality, Tricksters, #consciousuncoupling #utopianfutures