Publications
Through its engaged, interdisciplinary research into transformations in culture and society, the Institute contributes to the understanding and shaping of contemporary local and global life.
Regularly published authored books, edited collections, refereed journals and reports share the knowledge needed to bring about positive change in the world. In addition to frequently publishing their research through these works, our members contribute to the sharing of knowledge as the editors of journals including Journal of Cultural Economy, Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space and Journal of Australian Studies.
Issues is a multilingual journal of short essays on topics of historical and contemporary relevance, housed at the Institute.
Featured
rīvus - A Glossary of Water
Edited by José Roca and Juan Francisco Salazar
A Glossary of Water is a substantial publication presented as an artist book, a scholarly reference and a beautiful object. Edited by José Roca and Juan Francisco Salazar, A Glossary of Water is a limited edition aquatic artefact, a companion to the 23rd Biennale of Sydney, titled rīvus. The principal working themes – weaving and rivers – naturally expand towards topics like rights of nature, sustainability, food security, consumption, pollution, biodiversity, extinction and ancestral technologies.
This publication sheds light on an important and urgent subject and highlights the deep connections that Australia has to its waterways and bodies of water. The book follows the logic of a glossary, using approximately 80 terms as headings and “definitions” such as creek, dam, estuary, flood, weave and weft. A Glossary of Water has been printed sustainably on excess paper stock of different types and weights from previous book projects, rather than recycled paper, giving the profile of the publication the look and feel of the sediment of the river. A Glossary of Water is available to order online. Orders can be delivered directly to your address or can be picked up from the Info Hub located at The Cutaway at Barangaroo.
LGBT+ Youth and Emerging Technologies in Southeast Asia: Designing for Wellbeing
By Benjamin Hanckel
This book (opens in a new window) investigates the ways in which emerging digital technologies are shaping and changing the worlds of sexuality and gender diverse youth in Southeast Asia. Primarily focused on the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia, the book examines the potential of digital technologies to enhance wellbeing in and across these contexts.
Drawing on multi-site ethnographic field research, interviews, survey data, and online content analysis, the book examines the design and use of websites and content by and for LGBT+ youth. The book innovatively interrogates the design of transnational digital wellbeing initiatives alongside the digital practices of those whom the technologies are designed for. It illustrates not only the (im)possibilities of technological design but also the capacity for design to participate in what Hanckel calls ‘(trans)national digital wellbeing’ processes. He asks us to consider the ways that global technologies are contextual—a paradox that is explored throughout the book. The analysis extends important discussions in youth research, contributing to a greater understanding of how LGBT+ youth are engaging new technologies to participate in identity-making, health and wellbeing, as well as political action.
Cultural Policy Beyond the Economy: Work, Value, and the Social
By Deborah Stevenson
With a particular focus on Australia and the UK, and with reference to transnational bodies including UNESCO, this book (opens in a new window) identifies and examines influential national and international factors that have shaped cultural policy, including its implementation of an economic agenda. Deborah Stevenson retraces the foundations of contemporary cultural policy, with chapters exploring the hierarchies of legitimacy that form the basis of value and excellence, the increased hegemony of the economy within the art world complex, and the notions of class and gender as two key factors of social inequality that shape access to the arts.
Analysing cultural value, work, and the social as important points of tension and potential disruption within contemporary cultural policy, this book will be essential reading for students and scholars of arts and cultural management, cultural policy studies, cultural sociology, economics, and leisure and urban studies. It will also be of interest to students, scholars, and practitioners across the humanities and the social sciences.
Examining the Problem of Misinformation among the Indian Diaspora in Australia
By Jasbeer Musthafa Mamalipurath
This report provides a preliminary mapping of the key issues and needs in relation to misinformation and disinformation among the Indian diasporic communities in Australia. The report draws on a roundtable discussion with 15 stakeholders. This roundtable focused on (1) - the everyday experiences community members encountered in relation to mis/disinformation during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) - Australian and international misinformation and disinformation approaches and fact-checking initiatives; (3) - possible partnerships and solutions to combat these challenges. The report outlines a direction for the development of a national strategy to combat information vulnerabilities among multicultural communities. It makes special reference to the Indian diasporic communities, which it engaged through a co-design approach with the active participation of community stakeholders, NGOs, fact-checking organisations, government agencies, national media, and academic researchers.
