I recently submitted my latest book chapter about how the sociology of race can enhance research methods. More on this in coming months. On 12 September, I will be speaking at an online panel ‘Risks of visibility in a forced spotlight.’ This is a conversation about how to deal with public harassment of researchers. I recently presented my research on improving outcomes for learners, at the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) conference. My other work has been featured on a national antiracism website, and in a couple of news articles.
Event: Risks of visibility in a forced spotlight
I’ll be presenting my research on how institutions can protect public scholars from abuse. Hosted by Cultures of Digital Hate, this online panel is free to attend.
What: Risks of visibility in a forced spotlight: challenging the ‘impact agenda’
When: Mon, 12 September 2022 8:00PM-9:30PM AEST (11:00AM – 12:30PM BST)
How: Register online.
Learning
On 07 July, my colleagues and I presented our research at the online NCVER conference. Our paper was titled ‘Using behavioural messages to retain vulnerable apprentices and trainees.’ We presented the results and impact from our study that decreased drop out rates amongst first year learners. In April 2022, this work was scaled across New South Wales (NSW) by the training regulator, Training Services NSW. Our intervention is now business-as-usual, meaning our six behavioural SMS will run annually for all first year learners. When implemented across the state, this translates to a 16% decrease in dropouts. Our paper focused on the impact of our scaling. I presented some practical tips for organisations looking to do similar work.
Antiracism
My research blog, The Other Sociologist, is featured in the Racism. It Stops With Me website, run by the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Otherness
The Instituto para el Futuro de la Educación part of the Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico, has featured my research on otherness.
The similarities that build a “we” and the differences that constitute the “others” are central to the path of social codification, belonging, and the hierarchization of human groups. Usually, identities have a concept of exclusivity, as Zuleyka Zevallos argues, a Doctor in Sociology… Philosophically speaking, it is a situation similar to joining a club or organisation. Membership depends on filling out a set of designated criteria. These are created or built by the pertinent social groups. More than one group is necessary for this organization to make sense, so there can be a distinction. Some people do not belong to “our” group; otherwise, we would all belong, and no one does. (Read more in Spanish and English)
Gender
An article at the Michigan Daily has referenced my work on the sociology of gender.
While sex concerns the biological differences between females and males, gender is much more complex. According to Dr. Zuleyka Zevallos, a Peruvian-Australian applied sociologist, gender is “a concept that describes how societies determine and manage sex categories; the cultural meanings attached to men and women’s roles; and how individuals understand their identities.” Gender, she explains, “involves social norms, attitudes and activities that society deems more appropriate for one sex over another.” She adds that gender is further determined by “what an individual feels and does.” (Read more)
Dr Zuleyka Zevallos - Sociology Prose 