Do climate models leave us cold? Devices, felt-virtualities and the sociology of heat
Seminar
The paper seeks to ground heat and temperature more sociologically. The starting thought, which is possibly completely wrong, is that the modelling of global average temperature undertaken by climate scientists over the last few decades, is affecting a wide range of experiences of heat. Not only is…
Representing Identity in Online Networks
Seminar
Researchers often know very little about social media users other than their public actions on a platform (for example, posting, sharing, liking) and when these actions occurred. In this sense, big data has been described as “thin” in that it lacks information on social context and the motivations…
Together, Apart: Transnational Family Separation in the PALM Scheme
Seminar
The recent expansion of regional guestworker migration schemes has altered the political economy of the South Pacific, creating a ‘permanent labour reserve’ (MacWilliam, 2022) for low-wage industries in rural Australia and New Zealand. Historical structures of uneven development, against which the…
Public Lecture by Prof Mike Savage: The Racial Wealth Divide, Elites and Tax Justice
Lecture
Deep dive into exploding wealth inequality, its impact on society, and legal loopholes used by the ultra-rich at this eye-opening event! Over the past decade escalating wealth inequalities are increasingly evident across the globe, and pose fundamental analytical and political issues. Analytically…
Technology and the Future of Work: A Sceptical View of the Impending Job Apocalypse
Lecture
It seems that the emergence of each new technology sets off a new panic about an impending job apocalypse. The rapid disappearance of jobs is expected to produce widespread social disruptions and even social chaos. Solutions include a four-day workweek and a guaranteed annual income. Numerous…
Masterclass: The changing landscape of academic publishing
Other
You are invited to a special masterclass with Professor Jerry A. Jacobs, to reflect on the intersections of your research with the sociology of work and occupations and discuss strategies for positioning this research for potential publications in peer-reviewed journals in sociology, gender studies…
Teaching in the climate crisis: Reflections from the humanities and social sciences
Seminar
In 2022, a group of researchers and educators from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at La Trobe University came together to explore our pedagogical approaches and highlight possibilities for climate action in higher education classrooms. Our discussions looked at the unique challenges…