In this gripping episode of Conversations4Citizenship, we navigates the seismic political upheaval in Bangladesh, marked by the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after 15 years of authoritarian rule. The episode unfolds against the backdrop of widespread student protests that escalated into deadly clashes with government forces, highlighting the formidable power of youth activism. Dr. Rupa Huq, a UK Member of Parliament with deep ties to the Bangladeshi diaspora, and Ajmain Adil Naklib, a young environmentalist from Dhaka, join the discussion to provide invaluable insights into this pivotal moment in history. They explore the birth of a new democratic era in Bangladesh, the role of global citizenship, and the broader implications for the region.

From the power of youth activism to the role of global citizenship in shaping these events, our conversation explores the seismic shift in Bangladesh's political landscape. Dr. Huq shares her perspective on the significant role of the Bangladeshi diaspora in amplifying global awareness about these events, drawing parallels to historical movements like Tiananmen Square and the Arab Spring. Ajmain offers a first-hand account of the protests, emphasizing the unprecedented unity among diverse groups in Bangladesh and the crucial role of social media in organizing and sustaining the movement. Together, they paint a vivid picture of a nation on the brink of transformation, driven by a new generation determined to reshape its future. This episode is a compelling exploration of how grassroots movements can ignite change and challenge entrenched political systems.

This episode is hosted by Dr. Adam Lang. Please subscribe to the podcast through Apple, Google, Spotify, or Amazon Music. You may also follow @c4c_ed on Twitter. We look forward to hearing your feedback. If you would like to explore participating in our podcast and submit your blog post to the C4C, do not hesitate to reach out through the online participation form or email us at conversations4citizenship@gmail.com

• Further Reading List

1. Bangladesh clashes: 90 killed in anti-government protests
2. Timeline: The rise and fall of Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina
3. Violence breaks out at Bangladesh anti-quota protests, government orders probe into killings
4. Gen Z and Bangladesh 2.0
5. Excerpts from Parliamentary debate
6. House of Commons

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In this episode of Conversations4Citizenship, Dr. Felipe Acuña discusses the impact of neoliberalism on education in Chile. He explains how the "bonsai pedagogy" metaphor illustrates the way neoliberal policies constrain teachers' growth and creativity, leading to burnout and loss of joy in their work. Dr. Acuña shares his research on teachers working in experimental schools who are pushing back against these trends and finding enjoyment in their teaching. He emphasizes the importance of treating education as a social right and ensuring teachers are the happiest members of society. Acuña warns against implementing neoliberal education policies, citing Chile's experience with increased segregation and inequality. The conversation also touches on the challenges of moving beyond neoliberalism in South America and globally.

This episode is hosted by Dr. Peter Lang. Please subscribe to the podcast through Apple, Google, Spotify, or Amazon Music. You may also follow @c4c_ed on Twitter. We look forward to hearing your feedback. If you would like to explore participating in our podcast and submit your blog post to the C4C, do not hesitate to reach out through the online participation form or email us at conversations4citizenship@gmail.com

• Further Reading List

1. Acuña, F. (2024). Governing teachers’ subjectivity in neoliberal times: the fabrication of the bonsai teacher. Journal of Education Policy, 39(2), 171-190.
2. Acuña, F., & Fernández Ugalde, R. (2024). Dissenting from what? the rupture of Chilean teachers with the long-term consensus on teacher professional development. Globalisation, Societies and Education, 1-16.
3. Acuña, F., & Corbalán, F. (2023). Giving space to the subject’s potential present: Zemelman’s contributions to Sociology of Education. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 44(8), 1304-1320.

Contact Conversations4citizenship

• Tweet us @c4c_ed and @stellarcheong
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In this insightful episode of Conversations4Citizenship, we dive into the world of AI governance with Parishrut Jassal, a PhD candidate from Panjab University, India. Parishrut's research focuses on how AI can be a force for peace and sustainability.

We kick off by discussing the current state of AI governance, with Parishrut highlighting the EU AI Act (AIA) as a groundbreaking example. He explains how regulating AI based on risk levels can help prevent misuse and protect human rights. But he also emphasizes the challenges of applying these rules globally, given different cultural and societal contexts.

The conversation takes an interesting turn when we explore the link between AI and peace education. Parishrut shares his vision of AI as a tool to foster empathy and understanding through interactive learning experiences. He makes a strong case for including ethics in AI governance to support peace education initiatives.

Looking ahead, Parishrut paints a hopeful picture of AI as a partner in human-led peacebuilding efforts. He stresses the importance of responsible AI development and international cooperation to create a future where AI benefits everyone.

Overall, this episode offers valuable insights into the potential of AI to be a force for good.

This episode is hosted by Dr. Stella Micheong Cheong. Please subscribe to the podcast through Apple, Google, Spotify, or Amazon Music. You may also follow @c4c_ed on Twitter. We look forward to hearing your feedback. If you would like to explore participating in our podcast and submit your blog post to the C4C, do not hesitate to reach out through the online participation form or email us at conversations4citizenship@gmail.com

• Some resources we talked about:

1. UN Adoption of AI Governance Resolution
2. UN Global Pulse Lab's Work (AI & Peace)
3. The Global Partnership on AI (GPAI)
4. African Union's Efforts for AI Policy

Contact Conversations4citizenship

• Tweet us @c4c_ed and @stellarcheong
• Email us at conversations4citizenship@gmail.com
• Text us on WhatsApp : +44 7783 680128
• Submit your work us at http://www.conversations4citizenship.com

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The episode of the Conversations4Citizenship podcast features an in-depth discussion with Jayden Carmona and Subham Barua, two students from UC Riverside in the US, about the pro-Palestinian protests sweeping US college campuses.

Jayden and Subham provide their perspectives on the resurgence of campus activism, attributing it to recent social justice movements and the immediate impact of the October 7 attack and subsequent war on Gaza. The students also discussed the differences in protest dynamics between East and West Coast campuses and the potential impact of these movements on voter turnout in the upcoming election. They emphasized the importance of civic engagement and voting, regardless of political affiliation.

Both guests emphasized the role of social media in shaping narratives and organizing protests. Subham highlighted how social media, combined with generative AI, can affect perceptions of the conflict, especially among less tech-savvy populations. The discussion also touches on the role of social media in spreading both accurate and misleading information, with Subham noting how algorithms can amplify certain narratives, whether true or false. Jayden adds that while social media can bring attention to important issues, it also has the potential to spread extremist views.

The discussion touched on concerns about antisemitism arising from these protests. While acknowledging some instances of antisemitic rhetoric, both students believed this was not representative of the majority of protesters and doubted it would significantly impact the upcoming US elections.Subham expresses concern that Republicans might weaponize the unrest to paint Democrats as radical, while Jayden is skeptical about the overall influence of foreign policy issues on American voters. Both agree that increased political engagement among students is a positive outcome, regardless of the immediate electoral impact.

The episode concludes with reflections on the importance of voting and civic engagement. Jayden shares his journey into politics, motivated by the election of Donald Trump and his Cuban heritage. Subham underscores the need for students to use their academic work to give voice to those affected by conflicts, urging them to write about meaningful issues.

Contact Conversations4citizenship

• Tweet us @c4c_ed and @stellarcheong
• Email us at conversations4citizenship@gmail.com
• Text us on WhatsApp : +44 7783 680128
• Submit your work us at http://www.conversations4citizenship.com

Thanks for listening and keeping Conversations4Citizenship podcasting!

In this episode of Conversations4Citizenship, Dr. Nicole Brown discusses her innovative approaches to qualitative research, focusing on her book "Photovoice Reimagined." Dr. Brown, a former secondary school teacher turned researcher, emphasizes the importance of empowering marginalized voices through creative methodologies like photovoice, which uses photography to capture participants' experiences.

Dr. Brown explains the philosophical and theoretical foundations of photovoice, rooted in feminist theory and critical consciousness, and its role in enabling participants to express their experiences visually. She addresses the challenges of using creative methods in a conservative academic environment, stressing the need for rigor and theoretical grounding to validate these approaches.

Ethical considerations in visual research, such as participant safety and consent, are also discussed. Dr. Brown advises early career researchers to be reflexive and transparent about their positionality and power dynamics in their research.

The episode highlights Dr. Brown's integration of teaching, research, and activism, aiming to create tangible outcomes for marginalized communities. She encourages researchers to embrace creative methods and find supportive networks, noting the growing acceptance of these approaches in academic circles.

This episode is hosted by Dr. Stella Micheong Cheong. Please subscribe to the podcast through Apple, Google, Spotify, or Amazon Music. You may also follow @c4c_ed on Twitter. We look forward to hearing your feedback. If you would like to explore participating in our podcast and submit your blog post to the C4C, do not hesitate to reach out through the online participation form or email us at conversations4citizenship@gmail.com

• Further Reading List

1. Brown, N. (2024). Photovoice Reimagined. Policy Press. ISBN: 9781447369387.
2. Leigh, J., & Brown, N. (2021). Embodied Inquiry: Research Methods. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN: 9781350118799.
3. Brown, N. (2022). Scope and continuum of participatory research. International Journal of Research & Method in Education, 45(2), 200-211. DOI: 10.1080/1743727X.2021.1902980.
4. Brown, N., & Collins, J. (2021). Systematic visuo-textual analysis-A framework for analysing visual and textual data. The Qualitative Report, 26(4), 1275-1290. DOI: 10.46743/2160-3715/2021.4838.
5. Wang, Caroline; Burris, Mary (1997). "Photovoice: Concept, Methodology, and Use for Participatory Needs Assessment." Health Education & Behavior 24(3): 369-387.
6. Wang, C. C. (1999). Photovoice: A participatory action research strategy applied to women's health. Journal of women's health, 8(2), 185-192.

• For more of Nicole's work, visit her website: www.nicole-brown.co.uk ; https://practiceasresearch.nicole-brown.co.uk/

Contact Conversations4citizenship

• Tweet us @c4c_ed and @stellarcheong
• Email us at conversations4citizenship@gmail.com
• Text us on WhatsApp : +44 7783 680128
• Submit your work us at http://www.conversations4citizenship.com

Thanks for listening and keeping Conversations4Citizenship podcasting!

In the third episode of season 3, Dr. Patricia Leavy discusses the transformative power of arts-based research. She shares her journey from traditional sociology to pioneering arts-based methods, emphasizing the importance of making research accessible beyond academia. Patricia advocates for the use of art in research to create emotional connections and foster public engagement. She addresses the challenges of subjective interpretation and the need for a balance between artistic expression and scholarly intent. Leavy also highlights the potential of digital platforms for disseminating arts-based research, particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. She underscores the value of community-based participatory research, integrating arts to communicate complex issues effectively. The episode concludes with Leavy's insights on the role of art in addressing societal issues and her latest works, including a novel inspired by the pandemic and a guide on writing and publishing qualitative research.

This episode is hosted by Dr. Stella Micheong Cheong. Please subscribe to the podcast through Apple, Google, Spotify, or Amazon Music. You may also follow @c4c_ed on Twitter. We look forward to hearing your feedback. If you would like to explore participating in our podcast and submit your blog post to the C4C, do not hesitate to reach out through the online participation form or email us at conversations4citizenship@gmail.com

• Further Reading List

1. Conrad, D. & Sinner, A. (Eds.) (2015). Creating together: Participatory, community-based and collaborative arts practices and scholarship across Canada. Waterloo, ON: Wilfred Laurier University Press.
2. Ellis, C., Adams, T. E., & Bochner, A. P. (2011). Autoethnography: an overview. Historical social research/Historische sozialforschung, 273-290.
3. Leavy, P. (2024). Writing and Publishing Qualitative Research. Guilford Publications.
4. Leavy, P. (2023). The Location Shoot: A Novel (A Red Carpet Romance). She Writes Press
5. Leavy, P. (2022). Re/invention: Methods of social fiction. Guilford Publications.
6. Leavy, P. (2021). Low-Fat Love: 10th Anniversary Edition. Kennebunk, ME: Paper Stars Press.
7. Leavy, P. (2020). Method meets art: Arts-based research practice. Guilford publications.
8. Watson, A. (2021). Writing sociological fiction. Qualitative Research. pp. 1-16.

• For more of Patricia's work, visit her website: https://patricialeavy.com/ , The AutoEthnographer

Contact Conversations4citizenship

• Tweet us @c4c_ed and @stellarcheong
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**Note. This episode featuring Dr. Henry Giroux was co-produced with the Global Transformative Education Network.

In this insightful episode of Conversations4Citizenship, we had the honor of engaging with Dr. Henry Giroux, a distinguished scholar in critical pedagogy. Dr. Giroux, who holds the prestigious position of Chair for Scholarship in the Public Interest at McMaster University, shared his profound thoughts on a range of topics concerning education, democracy, and resistance.

Dr. Giroux began by discussing the politicization of the pandemic and its impact on education, emphasizing the need to recognize and name the problems that have intensified, such as the instrumental rationality and politics of disposability. He highlighted the importance of understanding education's democratic imperatives and the challenges posed by the pandemic, including the casualization of faculty and the alignment of education with corporate values over civic virtues.

The conversation then shifted to the concept of space in education, where Dr. Giroux elaborated on the need for classrooms to be places of courage, safety, and shared values. He stressed the importance of translating knowledge into action that connects private troubles with larger social issues.

Dr. Giroux also addressed the role of hope versus despair in education, arguing that despair is a form of depoliticization that educators must challenge by fostering a sense of agency and possibility in students.

The discussion touched upon resistance education, the impact of political and economic conditions on the ability to resist, and the importance of collective action and social movements in empowering individuals to become politically engaged.

Dr. Giroux critiqued the ideology of Trumpism, describing it as a form of upgraded fascism that threatens democracy through its promotion of whiteness, Christian nationalism, and educational terror.

The episode concluded with Dr. Giroux's thoughts on the privatization of education, the importance of public education for democracy, and the need to invest in children and the future. He also shared insights into his current work on the burden of conscience and the dangers of reducing all activities to commercial interests.

This episode is hosted by Dr. Stella Micheong Cheong. Please subscribe to the podcast through Apple, Google, Spotify, or Amazon Music. You may also follow @c4c_ed on Twitter. We look forward to hearing your feedback. If you would like to explore participating in our podcast and submit your blog post to the C4C, do not hesitate to reach out through the online participation form or email us at conversations4citizenship@gmail.com

• Further Reading List

1. Giroux, H. A., & DiMaggio, A. R. (2024). Fascism on Trial: Education and the Possibility of Democracy. Bloomsbury Publishing
2. Giroux, H. (2023). Educators as Public Intellectuals in an Age of Tyranny. CounterPunch.
3. Giroux, H. (2023). Youth and Memories of Hope in the Age of Disposability. CounterPunch.
4. Giroux, H. A., & PAUL, W. (2023). Educators and critical pedagogy: An antidote to authoritarianism. A Development Education Review.
5. Giroux, H. A. (2022). Pedagogy of resistance: against manufactured ignorance. London: Bloomsbury Academic.

• For more of Henry's work, visit his website: https://www.henryagiroux.com/work

Contact Conversations4citizenship

• Tweet us @c4c_ed and @stellarcheong
• Email us at conversations4citizenship@gmail.com
• Text us on WhatsApp : +44 7783 680128
• Submit your work us at http://www.conversations4citizenship.com

Thanks for listening and keeping Conversations4Citizenship podcasting!