A. Lowe’s scientific contributions

The raison d'être of this volume of essays, which is drawn from the Centre's work up to 1979, is not simply that it reflects the Centre's work over these years, but that it is addressed to, and may help in, the on-going work of clarification of this emergent field of study. Cultural Studies is not, however, a 'discipline', but an area where different disciplines intersect in the study of the cultural aspects of society. The particular complex of disciplines involved, and the types of approach adopted, naturally differ from place to place. This volume, based as it is on the Birmingham Centre's work, reflects only one particular tendency. While aimed in general at supporting and underpinning these initiatives, there is no intention that this volume should stamp the field indelibly with the Centre's particular concerns. We hope that the 'openness' of our approach is reflected in the selections which follow, and that readers and users of the volume will bear this caveat in mind as they read. © 1980 Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies, University of Birmingham. All rights reserved.