Mobilities studies and history: the evolution of a troubled relation

This article critically examines the evolving relationship between mobilities studies and historical research over the past three decades. Initially rooted in postmodern, presentist frameworks, the mobilities paradigm largely overlooked historical methodologies. From the 2010s onward, however, scholars both within and beyond mobilities studies began to integrate archival sources, life writing, and long-term analyses, giving rise to a distinct subfield of ‘mobilities history’. This evolution unfolded in three phases: (1) an a-historical beginning (1990s–2000s), characterized by a focus on contemporary flows; (2) a growing inclusion of historical perspectives during the 2010s, marked by foundational work in transport history and interdisciplinary collaborations; and (3) the consolidation of historical approaches in the 2020s, which has expanded the field’s geographical scope to include the Global South and East and deepened engagement with decolonial, feminist, and sustainability concerns. Drawing on a systematic literature review, the article highlights key theoretical and methodological contributions, from Sheller and Urry’s foundational texts to recent decolonial critiques. It concludes by discussing the practical implications of historical specificity for contemporary mobility policies, especially in the context of sustainable urban planning and mobility justice.