Special Presentation: Hate, Hindutva & Ayodhya Temple

In this talk, Professor Mohan Dutta discusses the politics of hate reflected in the celebration of the establishing of the foundation for the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, which sits on the demolition of the Babri masjid.

Join us at 8pm (NZT) by following our link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amPu_QHJOcU.

The talk was recorded on 4 August 2020 @ 1 pm NZST.

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CARE Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Phoebe Elers receives the 2022 MSA MBS Research Excellence Award by Massey Business School

Being recognised in our own College, the Massey Business School, for our research excellence, gives us joy, says Prof. Mohan Dutta. CARE is grateful to the significant contributions made by Dr. Phoebe Elers as a postdoctoral fellow. Phoebe has led a range of culture-centered interventions and is an important contributor to the theorising of the culture-centered approach (CCA).

The 2022 MSA MBS Research Excellence Award is presented to Dr. Phoebe Elers, Prof. Mohan Dutta and Senior Lecturer Dr. Steve Elers from School of Communication Journalism and Marketing, Massey Business School for the paper: Culturally centering digital inclusion and marginality: A case study in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Link to paper- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/14614448211063180


CARE Public Talk: Freedom and/or Justice? Tensions In The Liberal Paradigm for Regulating Harmful Speech by Prof. Cherian George

Join us for Professor Cherian George’s Public Talk at the Business Studies (Central) Building, Massey University, BSC B1.08 COMMS Lab. Or join us virtually via the Livestream on our social media platforms.

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/CAREMassey/videos/310113508573077

CARE YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXwelom8Ac4

The norms and institutions of democracy and human rights are on the back foot around the world. They clearly need to be strengthened. This work has been disrupted and delayed not only by democracy’s opponents but also from within. There are recurring, divisive debates within liberal democracies concerning how much society should tolerate discriminatory speech. This talk searches for guideposts to navigate the contested terrain between free speech and social justice.

Cherian George is a professor of media studies at Hong Kong Baptist University’s School of Communication, and the director of its Centre for Media and Communication Research. His books include Hate Spin: The Manufacture of Religious Offence and its Threat to Democracy (2016); and Red Lines: Political Cartoons and the Struggle against Censorship (2021).


CARE Public Talk: Long-term Effects of Far-Right Terrorism on Muslims in New Zealand by Dr. Usman Afzali, University of Canterbury

In Dr. Usman Afzali’s talk, “Long-term Effects of Far-Right Terrorism on Muslims in New Zealand,” the enduring consequences of far-right terrorism on the Muslim community in New Zealand are explored. Drawing upon a comprehensive array of scholarly papers and research from the New Zealand Attitudes and Values Study, the presentation investigates the complex dynamics between far-right violence, public attitudes, and the psychological well-being of Muslim minorities. It reveals how far-right terrorism can lead to national distress, affecting community cohesion and overall well-being. Public attitudes toward Muslims in New Zealand, especially following a terrorist attack, are examined, alongside the role of national identity, media influence, and the potential mitigating role of religion. Usman Afzali’s talk offers a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted impact of far-right terrorism on Muslims in New Zealand, with implications for future research and policy considerations.

Dr. Usman Afzali is the principal investigator of the Muslim Diversity Study, currently working as a postdoctoral research fellow and lecturer at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. The Muslim Diversity Study examines social attitudes and values of Muslims in New Zealand. Usman’s research interests encompass human flourishing, diversity in religious groups, cognitive psychology (specifically memory suppression), and contemplative neuroscience.

In the Muslim Diversity Study, he leads a team of 24 research assistants and actively collaborates with numerous partners within New Zealand. Additionally, he conducts research in cognitive psychology and neuroscience, and supervises graduate students at various levels (PhD, Masters, and Honours) since 2021. His teaching portfolio includes courses in statistics, research methods, cognitive psychology, and neuroscience.

Website: https://www.usmanafzali.com

Twitter: @UsmanAfzali