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Worlds, Voices & ‘Truths’

Worlds, Voices & ‘Truths’. Professor Alison Morrison University of Surrey UK. ‘ I like that art that constantly appears to be aloof, but is passionate, that looks at ordinariness and ordinary things without wishing to colonise them. I don’t like

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Worlds, Voices & ‘Truths’

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  1. Worlds, Voices & ‘Truths’ Professor Alison Morrison University of Surrey UK

  2. ‘I like that art that constantly appears to be aloof, but is passionate, that looks at ordinariness and ordinary things without wishing to colonise them. I don’t like art that is so aggressive that it excludes and destroys all that it touches, but I do like an art that understands the totality of its own existence.’ Source: Tom Kreisler, Exhibition, Dunedin Public Art Gallery (2009)

  3. Understand the totality of research’s own existence

  4. Worlds, Voices & Truths

  5. Adding Value Through Research • Cognisant of multiplicity of worlds, voices & truths that construct knowledge • Sceptical of blind/lazy acceptance of conventional wisdom • Critical in analysis of existing knowledge & its construction • Aware of underlying ideologies at work behind the ‘knowledge scene’ • Achievement of ‘relevancy’ in 21st century academic landscape!

  6. Worlds Sum of human civilisation living on the planet Earth, specifically human experience, history, & human condition

  7. ‘…Pacific, New Zealand and Auckland context where the study of society & culture are particularly interesting in terms of inter-cultural & multi-cultural relations, indigenous cultures, migration & equity.’ (Nigel Hemmington, 2010)

  8. NZ TRI @ AUT • Brings together experts from around the world to deliver innovative research solutions for industry & those that depend on it. • Our research enables business, community & government to develop profitable & sustainable outcomes. • Clients from Tahiti, Canada, Vietnam, EU, Iceland etc. Worlds, Voices & Truths

  9. One World?

  10. ‘If the world is to survive & flourish, we all need to know more about the differences rather than concentrating on the similarities.’ Joynt and Warner (1996)

  11. Enter multiple world research contexts, differences & similarities

  12. Voices To........ cultivate a voice……give voice….. find their voice……say, speak, advocate… proclaim…………….listen to the voices..…

  13. Research to release the ‘voice’ of ‘truth’

  14. ‘Having understanding of cultural values, motivations, & aspirations of various sub-groups within populations is critical to increasing the knowledge base .’ Skokic & Morrison (2010)

  15. ‘Concept of ‘applied humanities’….our faculty focuses on culture & society and seeks to explore real world issues through multi-disciplinary social scientific approaches, especially aspects of the changing world.’ (Nigel Hemminton, 2010)

  16. ‘Conventional Wisdom’ Based primarily on tradition & does not accommodate changes in society so it must be viewed with scepticism. Galbraith (1958)

  17. Challenge conventional wisdom: Stephen Hawking The eminent British theoretical physicist says established scientific theories render the idea of a divine creator redundant – he categorically dismissed the existence of God in the creation of the universe

  18. Defend conventional wisdom: the Pope Stepped into the debate over God & the universe saying that human & natural sciences can’t explain the ultimate meaning of human existence – they can’t satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart, explain our origin & our destiny – belief in God leads people beyond ‘present utility’

  19. Research that leads people beyond ‘present utility’

  20. Ideology Doctrine, philosophy, body of beliefs or principles belonging to an individual or group or politics

  21. ‘…..it is important to assess the production process of knowledge and the knowledge itself. How the knowledge is achieved, what the knowledge – and research – is for, what are the ideologies lurking behind the knowledge produced by research, are all crucial questions.’ Source: Blackburn and Kovalainen (2008:141)

  22. Truth A statement proven to be accepted as true…. Conformity to reality…… A fact or actuality that has been verified as accurate…..

  23. Research……..the never-ending pursuit of ‘truth(s)’

  24. Role of research? Source: Morrison (2002)

  25. ‘AUT’s legacy of applied knowledge……..relevance is not a dirty word here, it’s our byword’. (Derek McCormack, VC AUT)

  26. ‘We believe the freedom to conduct research, teach, speak & publish without interference or penalty are coming under threat in Scottish universities….greater pressure put on researchers to produce lucrative research….these are worrying times. Academic freedom is vital to a civilised society.’ (Sally Hunt, University & College Union Scotland)

  27. Academic freedom to research

  28. Adding value through research • Understand the totality of its own existence • Enter multiple world contexts, differences & similarities – avoid ‘world myopia’ • Release the ‘voices’ of ‘truths’ & underpinning ideologies • Lead people beyond ‘present utility’ while achieving relevance • Engage in the never-ending pursuit of ‘truths’ not seduced by conventional wisdom • Fight for academic freedom in an ever changing world

  29. The artist Tom Kreisler was interested in the transformative powers of art; its ability to challenge, provoke and speculate…… A final thought…………

  30. Worlds, Voices & Truths Adding Value Through Research

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