Assemblies of Practice

Assemblies of Practice refer to the gatherings or groups of individuals engaged in shared activities that help shape their collective knowledge, skills, and identities. These assemblies form around common goals, interests, or professions and focus on collaborative learning through the practical exchange of experiences and techniques. Sociologists analyze assemblies of practice to understand how social learning, knowledge transfer, and community identity develop in various settings, such as workplaces, hobbyist groups, or activist networks. Unlike “communities of practice,” which imply an ongoing collective identity, assemblies of practice are more fluid, with members coming together temporarily to share and apply expertise, thus highlighting the role of informal learning in shaping social behavior and community cohesion.