title: Animated satire and collective memory: reflecting on the American “history wars” with The Simpsons

authors: Hellmann, Olli

abstract: Driven by the knowledge that how societies remember their past matters in the present, the field of collective memory studies has paid significant attention to the media’s role in contributing to the production of socially shared representations of history. The genre of satire, however, has so far remained largely neglected. My paper addresses this gap and argues that, compared to other forms of media, satire not only adds to the production of memories, but it also offers distinct rhetorical techniques to encourage audiences to reflect on the construction and maintenance of collective memories. I develop the argument about satire’s memory-reflexive function through a case study of how The Simpsons – by deploying the fictional persona of Jebediah Springfield as a metaphor of the Founding Fathers – critically comments on America’s hyper-polarized “history wars” between conservatives and liberals. I argue that animated satire is a particularly powerful vehicle for reflection on collective memory, not only because it subverts audience expectations, but also because the unlimited storytelling potential of animation makes it possible to imitate the politics of collective remembering with a high degree of realism.

text: Animated satire and collective memory: reflecting on the American “history wars” with The Simpsons Driven by the knowledge that how societies remember their past matters in the present, the field of collective memory studies has paid significant attention to the media’s role in contributing to the production of socially shared representations of history. The genre of satire, however, has so far remained largely neglected. My paper addresses this gap and argues that, compared to other forms of media, satire not only adds to the production of memories, but it also offers distinct rhetorical techniques to encourage audiences to reflect on the construction and maintenance of collective memories. I develop the argument about satire’s memory-reflexive function through a case study of how The Simpsons – by deploying the fictional persona of Jebediah Springfield as a metaphor of the Founding Fathers – critically comments on America’s hyper-polarized “history wars” between conservatives and liberals. I argue that animated satire is a particularly powerful vehicle for reflection on collective memory, not only because it subverts audience expectations, but also because the unlimited storytelling potential of animation makes it possible to imitate the politics of collective remembering with a high degree of realism.

year: 2023-09-13

title: Mindful publishing in the AI era: An editor’s perspective on trends, challenges, and insights in mindfulness research

authors: Medvedev, Oleg N.

abstract: In an age where AI influences many facets of academic pursuit, the dissemination of mindfulness research is undergoing significant transformation. This keynote delivers an editor's perspective on the latest trends in mindfulness research, navigating through the possibilities and perils that AI presents to scholarly publishing.
The talk will cover the core trends revolutionizing how mindfulness research reaches academic and public domains. It will also elaborate on how AI impacts the success rates of paper acceptance and publication, and the broader implications for researchers striving to contribute novel insights in a highly competitive space. This discussion will outline the increased efficiency and new opportunities for disseminating research findings, while also considering the challenges of maintaining rigorous peer-review standards in the fast-paced digital era.
From an editorial vantage point, we share insights on harnessing AI to enhance the visibility and impact of mindfulness studies, and how this influences the themes and narratives that gain prominence in the literature. The talk will reflect on the emerging challenges such as ensuring the ethical use of AI, addressing the digital divide in research accessibility, and preserving the integrity of mindfulness as a discipline amidst rapid technological change.
This keynote presentation aims to equip researchers with an understanding of current publishing trends in mindfulness research, stimulate discussion on overcoming associated challenges, and inspire innovative approaches to sharing their work effectively. Attendees will leave with a clearer vision for navigating the evolving landscape of mindfulness research publication in the era of AI integration.

text: Mindful publishing in the AI era: An editor’s perspective on trends, challenges, and insights in mindfulness research In an age where AI influences many facets of academic pursuit, the dissemination of mindfulness research is undergoing significant transformation. This keynote delivers an editor's perspective on the latest trends in mindfulness research, navigating through the possibilities and perils that AI presents to scholarly publishing.
The talk will cover the core trends revolutionizing how mindfulness research reaches academic and public domains. It will also elaborate on how AI impacts the success rates of paper acceptance and publication, and the broader implications for researchers striving to contribute novel insights in a highly competitive space. This discussion will outline the increased efficiency and new opportunities for disseminating research findings, while also considering the challenges of maintaining rigorous peer-review standards in the fast-paced digital era.
From an editorial vantage point, we share insights on harnessing AI to enhance the visibility and impact of mindfulness studies, and how this influences the themes and narratives that gain prominence in the literature. The talk will reflect on the emerging challenges such as ensuring the ethical use of AI, addressing the digital divide in research accessibility, and preserving the integrity of mindfulness as a discipline amidst rapid technological change.
This keynote presentation aims to equip researchers with an understanding of current publishing trends in mindfulness research, stimulate discussion on overcoming associated challenges, and inspire innovative approaches to sharing their work effectively. Attendees will leave with a clearer vision for navigating the evolving landscape of mindfulness research publication in the era of AI integration.

year: 2024

title: Evaluation of the Whānau Ora Wellbeing Service of Te Whakaruruhau: Final report

authors: Robertson, Neville

subjects: whānau ora

abstract: Domestic violence and child abuse represent significant threats to whānau ora. Conversely, the weakening or loss of whānau ties can increase the vulnerability of whānau members to domestic violence and child abuse. Thus enhancing whānau ora in the context of domestic violence and child abuse is both a high priority and a significant challenge.

Te Whakaruruhau Māori Women’s Refuge has been providing safe housing, support and advocacy to women and children for over two decades and has become a key agency in family violence networks in Kirikiriroa. The development of the Whānau Ora Wellbeing Service, the focus of this evaluation, was a logical extension of Refuge services.

The Māori and Psychology Research Unit was commissioned in mid‐2011 to conduct this evaluation. It is based on ten case studies of clients in the programme, interviews with Te Whakaruruhau staff and key informants in allied agencies, and participant‐observation of Refuge activities. The case studies provide insights into the lived experience of women dealing with violence, their attempts to protect themselves and their children, and their experiences of – and reflections upon – the Whānau Ora Wellbeing programme.

text: Evaluation of the Whānau Ora Wellbeing Service of Te Whakaruruhau: Final report Domestic violence and child abuse represent significant threats to whānau ora. Conversely, the weakening or loss of whānau ties can increase the vulnerability of whānau members to domestic violence and child abuse. Thus enhancing whānau ora in the context of domestic violence and child abuse is both a high priority and a significant challenge.

Te Whakaruruhau Māori Women’s Refuge has been providing safe housing, support and advocacy to women and children for over two decades and has become a key agency in family violence networks in Kirikiriroa. The development of the Whānau Ora Wellbeing Service, the focus of this evaluation, was a logical extension of Refuge services.

The Māori and Psychology Research Unit was commissioned in mid‐2011 to conduct this evaluation. It is based on ten case studies of clients in the programme, interviews with Te Whakaruruhau staff and key informants in allied agencies, and participant‐observation of Refuge activities. The case studies provide insights into the lived experience of women dealing with violence, their attempts to protect themselves and their children, and their experiences of – and reflections upon – the Whānau Ora Wellbeing programme.

year: 2013-07-20