Community Building Research Articles

Community building as itinerant relationality: teaching through a ´vagabond´ hut in social work curricula

Community building as itinerant relationality: teaching through a ´vagabond´ hut in social work curricula

Ash Everywhere: Place Attachment and Meanings in the Aftermath of Wildfires

Wildfires can lead to drastic environmental changes that pose a threat to communities’ understandings of place. While previous research has explored the connections between environmental change and place attachment, less is known about the relationship between place meanings and environmental disasters in combination with other drivers of change such as demographic dynamics and climate change. The main goal of this article is to enhance understanding of how wildfire-related experiences impact place meanings. Through semi-structured interviews with communities who were affected by wildfires in rural Colorado, we clarify the neglected relationship between environmental disasters and place attachment and place meanings. Specifically, we identify how place meanings are channeled through different dimensions of place attachment, namely place affection and place awareness. By differentiating these two dimensions, we indicate practical possibilities for addressing climatic and environmental change, such as through community building, education on resource conservation, and wildfire–risk management.

National Figurations under Hysteresis in Norbert Elias and Pierre Bourdieu. From Plural to Cleft National Habitus

The paper proposes to expand the Eliasian concept of national habitus through the Bourdieusian studies of social habitus. It will be argued that the dynamic relationship between the national habitus and the state norms is always characterized by certain hysteresis, the difference across specific national contexts being its range: from small-scale, almost imperceptible forms, to radical, traumatic disjunctures. Inherently plural character of national habitus postulated in this article does not presuppose that plural dispositions are incorporated in the we-image of the nationals. On the contrary, the case of inner normative antagonism in national dispositions will be exemplified by cleft national habitus—modeled on cleft habitus described by Bourdieu in a class context, where a quest toward purification of plural habitus becomes ideologically crucial in national identity-building. The latter occurs in response to strong hysteresis in national figuration and is reproduced through Don Quixote effect dislocating the national experience of social time. Further contextualization of quixotic strategies will be made through the reading of two complementary works exploring the drag effects of habitus in community building and restructuring: The Bachelors’ Ball. The Crisis of Peasant Society in Béarn by Bourdieu and The Established and the Outsiders by Elias and Scotson.

Transcending Transit Deserts: Participatory Design of Interactive Bicycling Advocacy Tools in an American City

Recent HCI research has focused on developing interactive technologies for cyclists and using technology to promote this activity. However, the community-building and advocacy aspects of cycling remain relatively unexplored. In this study, we explored the integration of urban cycling and participatory technology design to address transportation inequities and promote cycling advocacy in a US city characterized by infrastructural and social disparities. We engaged with nine bicycling advocates from five organizations in Baltimore, USA in participatory design activities to understand their motivations for promoting cycling in urban areas and how interactive technology can aid in creating a cyclist-friendly city. Along with the various practical motivations, we found the participants also promote cycling with a desire to challenge historical discriminatory practices and infrastructural inequalities and as a means of community building and identity expression. We identify three interconnected directions for future change: supporting ancillary bicycle infrastructure and DIY repair practices, changing perceptions through community engagement, and using technology to support community awareness and inclusion. We argue cycling can be a tool for resistance and identity shaping in this context, and participatory design can offer innovative directions for urban designers, policymakers, and system designers to strengthen efforts toward creating inclusive and equitable urban environments.

Los círculos restaurativos en la educación secundaria: una revisión sistemática

The study presents a systematic review of restorative circles in secondary education, addressing the novelty of this practice and the paucity of research in this field. Restorative practice seeks to resolve conflicts in a non-punitive manner, promoting community building and healthy relationships between actors. The objectives of this review are to identify and analyse studies that expose the implementation of restorative circles in secondary schools, to know their benefits and to propose elements of improvement for their study. The methodology for the systematic review is based on the PRISMA recommendations. The study identifies fifteen research studies that explore the application of restorative circles. The results show benefits for students, including the creation of safe spaces, the fostering of positive relationships and the development of communication and emotional skills. In addition, benefits are noted for other stakeholders such as teachers, educational institutions and the wider community. It is concluded that there is a limited amount of research and a lack of consensus on some benefits, highlighting the need for further research and longitudinal studies to deepen the understanding of the impacts of implementing restorative circles in educational settings.

Coaching through liminal phases: A qualitative study of graduating medical students’ perceptions of the value of coaching experiences over the course of medical school

Purpose To explore graduating medical students’ insights on the value of coaching experiences during each year of medical school while examining how coaching may support student development at various stages of training. Methods We invited all graduating students who participated in the coaching program from first through fourth year to participate in one 90-minute virtual focus group. We conducted a thematic analysis of all the focus group transcripts using inductive open coding to develop themes. Results Twenty-three students participated. In the pre-clerkship years, students valued the coaching experience as a support and a conduit through transitioning into becoming a medical student by nurturing reassurance, self-validation, and community building. As medical school progressed into clerkship years, students valued their coaching experience as a source of emotional support to navigate the challenges of transitioning to workplace learning. In the final year, students valued the longitudinal relationship with their coaches for perspective-taking, reflection, and growth as they transitioned to residency while exploring their values and interests and deciding on their specialty. Conclusions Our study describes the value of providing students with a longitudinal coaching relationship to support medical school transitions while helping students find meaning and growth in these liminal spaces.

Factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine acceptability among household heads in northern Nigeria: a community-based cross-sectional study

ObjectivesCOVID-19 vaccine was rolled out for the public in August 2021 in Zamfara state, Northen Nigeria. We determined the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine acceptance.SettingsWe executed a community-based analytical cross-sectional study...

The Immortal Zhou Fuhai: Hagiography and Community Building in Pure Yang Daoism

Abstract: The Daoist Zhou Fuhai (d. ca. 1935) was a hermit, healer and master of internal alchemy who lived in eastern Hunan and, in the early 20th century, reconstituted the Pure Yang tradition (Chunyang). Today local communities of Daoist women venerate him as a divine immortal and the founding ancestor of their ritual genealogy. This article explores his journey as a Daoist healer and outlines the construction of his veneration and his identity as an immortal on the basis of field observations and oral testimonies as well as a ritual text and a short official hagiography. It takes a close ethnological look at community construction and the transmission of the Pure Yang tradition in eastern Hunan, a region where it particularly developed during the Song dynasty (960-1279).

Face-to-face or face-to-screen: A quantitative comparison of conferences modalities.

The COVID-19 pandemic forced a societal shift from in-person to virtual activities, including scientific conferences. As society navigates a "new normal," the question arises as to the advantages and disadvantages of these alternative modalities. We introduce two new comprehensive datasets enabling direct comparison between virtual and in-person conferences: the first, from a series of nine small conferences, encompasses over 12,000 pairs of potential scientific collaborators across five virtual and four in-person meetings on a range of scientific topics; the expressed goal of these conferences is to create novel collaborations. The second dataset, from a series of three large physics conferences, encompasses >250,000 possible pairs of scientific collaborators. Our study provides quantitative insight into benefits and drawbacks of virtual and in-person conferences for team formation, community building, and engagement. We demonstrate the causal role of formal interaction on team formation across both modalities. Our findings show that formal interaction impacted team formation significantly more in virtual settings, while informal interaction played a larger role at in-person conferences as compared with virtual. We show that a nonlinear memory model for predicting team formation based on interaction outperforms seven alternative models. The model suggests that prior knowledge and interaction time contribute to catalyzing collaborations in both settings. Our results underscore the critical responsibility of organizers for optimizing professional interactions, whether virtual or in-person.

Integration of Educational Content in Social Media Platforms: Content Creators’ Experiences

Introduction: This study addresses the problem of understanding educational content creators' lived experiences and challenges in developing impactful social media content. Methods: The study employed a qualitative phenomenological research design involving 10 content creators. The inclusion criteria specified that participants must be educators who were content creators actively producing educational materials for social media platforms, with a minimum of one (1) year of experience in content creation and social media channels with 300,000 or more subscribers. It used the thematic analysis steps. Results: Through a phenomenological approach, the research identified several themes, including (1) designing user-centered content, (2) balancing educational values and engagement, (3) applying principles of accuracy and relevance, (4) considering ethics and fact-checking, (5) fostering community building and collaboration, (6) managing challenges on time management and limited resources, and (7) measuring effectiveness through engagement metrics. The findings reveal that creators prioritize audience needs and strive to balance entertaining and informative content while maintaining ethical standards. Conclusion: Despite facing significant challenges such as resource limitations and time management, creators were committed to producing meaningful educational content that enhanced student engagement and learning outcomes

Filipino Meme Culture in Reddit: A Social Exchange Theory Application in an Anonymous Online Community

The study explores the dynamics of social exchanges within the r/Philippines subreddit, focusing on how meme culture influence user interactions and engagement. It highlights the significant role of social media in Filipino culture, noting the increasing time spent on platforms like Reddit, which serves as a unique space for community building and cultural expression. Social Exchange Theory (SET) is applied to understand participation behaviors in online communities, emphasizing perceived reciprocity and social capital as critical factors. SET provides a framework for analyzing social interactions, focusing on the perceived costs and benefits that influence user engagement in online communities. The research focuses on posts categorized under the MemePH flair in the r/Philippines subreddit, utilizing publicly accessible data without requiring ethical clearance. A content analysis was conducted to analyze the posted memes, while a thematic analysis was conducted to examine social interactions in the comments section, with classifications established before data collection. The content analysis reveals that memes in the subreddit are primarily categorized as political, propaganda, current events, and dank memes, with humor being a significant driver of engagement. The thematic analysis indicates that perceived community support, exchange ideologies, social ties, and perceived benefits are crucial in motivating users to post and interact within the subreddit.

Exploring Social Engagement in Live Commerce--Take Douyin as an Example

China’s live streaming industry is gradually approaching maturity, becoming a major competitive instrument in the e-commerce industry. Therefore, this article will explore social interaction in live commerce and future interaction in live streaming. This article describes the background and current development of the live-streaming industry in China. This article explores interactivity in live commerce using the Douyin platform as an example. Explored the interactive features of live commerce on the Douyin platform from the streamer and audience to audience perspectives. Using the frameworks of symbolic interactionism and Internet expansion, the social interactions that live commerce brings to audiences are researched. This article also emphasizes the importance of live interaction for the benefit of live commerce and the importance of live content. Subsequently, the impact of this social interaction on the audience’s decision-making process is explored. Furthermore, the article also explores the misinformation, data privacy, and potential brand crisis that can be caused by live commerce, and it emphasizes the emotional connection between streamers and audiences and the building of community as the future of live commerce.

The Role of Hip-Hop in Community Building and its Influence on Cluj-Napoca’s Young Urbanites “Concrete Rockers”. A Case Study

This article examines the cultural influence of hip-hop on urban youth in Cluj-Napoca, Transylvania (Romania), through a case study of the “Concrete Rockers” Association. This dynamic group is deeply involved in hip-hop activities, with a particular emphasis on breakdancing, its core focus, as well as organizing hip-hop events such as “One May Jam”—the group’s flagship event. Here, members and special guests participate in various hip-hop activities like DJing and graffiti art. By exploring the motivations and experiences that drive these individuals to engage with hip-hop, we aim to gain insight into their roles as both consumers and practitioners of this culture. The article further investigates how group affiliation and identity are formed within this vibrant and close-knit community, while also exploring the Concrete Rockers’ aspirations to become prominent representatives of hip-hop in Transylvania. Our findings, based on primary data, offer a deeper understanding of hip-hop’s role in shaping the identities and lives of young adults in Cluj-Napoca, highlighting the local adaptations and transnational connections of this global movement and underscoring the positive impact hip-hop has on these individuals.

Kitchen soups and the October uprising in Chile: exploring their connection with collective action frames in pandemic times

Abstract This article explores the connections between the October uprising in Chile and the emergence of kitchen soups (KS) as mutual aid during the COVID-19 pandemic. It examines the linguistic aspect of five KS names and their respective collective action frames (CAF) as tools for expressing shared goals, identities, and aspirations. By interviewing their founders, the study triangulates the relationship between KS and the October uprising. The analysis reveals a significant relationship between the social movement’s CAF and grassroots KS initiatives, highlighting the transformative potential of collective action. Additionally, the article explores how KS emerge as a continuation of the October social movement, creating new avenues for mobilization, resistance, and activism and community building. It argues that networks established during the social movement provided a strong foundation for KS’s success. Ultimately, it shows the power of political grassroots organizing and solidarity in times of crisis, emphasizing these movements’ potential to achieve lasting social justice.

Afeto e cultura na construção política da Comunidade de Samba do Pagode da 27

This article aims to discuss the factors that drive and shape the political struggle of peripheral cultural collectives. To this end, it presents the results of my master’s research, completed in 2023. The ethnographic research was conducted with Pagode da 27, a samba community located in Grajaú, in the southernmost part of São Paulo. Contributing to the debate on peripheral cultural collectives and political agency in the peripheries of large Brazilian cities, the analysis reveals that the affective relationships among the members and their connection with the cultural practice of samba form the foundation of both community building and the political formation of the individuals and the collective. The research methodology involved observing the daily activities of the members and the practices related to the Pagode da 27 samba community, as well as conducting conversations, interviews, and analyzing the group’s songs.

Third Spaces in Shanghai and Beijing

This research paper explores the concept of third spacestransitional areas that foster social interaction, equality, and cultural exchange amidst the challenges of urbanization and globalization. As digitization enables remote work, the significance of these accessible spaces has grown, allowing individuals to engage in both professional and personal activities in public settings. This study examines two prominent examples of third spaces: Shanghai's Columbia Circle and Beijing's Mix Island, highlighting their unique characteristics and the benefits they offer to urban communities. This research paper will also include different peoples perspectives towards the renovation of these two locations, and a compare and contrast between them, reflecting the concept of third space. While third spaces facilitate communication and relaxation, they also present challenges related to their multifunctional use. Some scholars have applied the concept of third spaces to specific urban contexts, exploring how these spaces contribute to social cohesion, cultural exchange, and community building. For instance, a study examines how space in Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's short story collection, "The Thing Around Your Neck," serves as a mirror of cultural tensions and intricate dynamics between gender, race, location, space, and authority. Much of the past research has not focused on the Chinese example. Therefore, this essay differs from other papers because it will give two examples from China to help illustrate the concept of the third space.

Mosque Pedagogy in Belgium

The aim of this research is to contribute to the research field of Islamic pedagogies by providing empirical insights on the educational strategies used in two different educational settings: Diyanet mosques and mosque-based knowledge centers in Belgium. Previous research has mainly focused on ‘imported’, ‘cyber’, or ‘intellectual’ imams, but little attention has been paid to newly emerging local authorities which we can describe as ‘native’ imams, vaizes, and ‘preaching teachers’. Both authorities are born and raised in Belgium and tend to develop a contextualized pedagogical model to meet the needs of Muslims. The analysis is based on fieldwork notes, classroom observations, and social media research. The findings demonstrate that, although similar teaching strategies are implemented in both settings, they are performed differently. It also demonstrates that education takes place through two reflective pedagogical methods that we term as pedagogy of Muslim Identity and pedagogy of Commitment. In addition, the findings show clearly how both aspects are guided by notions such as rooting, authenticity, and community building.

Punk pedagogy in a course about punk: A qualitative study of undergraduate students’ experiences

Critical pedagogy is one of the major influences on the development of punk pedagogy. Despite the challenges with defining punk pedagogy, we offer a set of guiding principles that informed the current study. The principles are as follows: (a) do-it-yourself (DIY) ethos, (b) anti-hierarchical structure, (c) co-creation of knowledge, (d) inclusive and accessible, and (e) diverse representation. The purpose of this study is to understand students’ experiences with punk pedagogy principles implemented in a course about punk, titled “Punk 101: An exploration of punk rock through zine and do-it-yourself culture.” There were two research questions that guided the current study: (1) What were students’ overall course experiences in Punk 101? And (2) What were students’ experiences with punk pedagogy principles in Punk 101? We used a phenomenological approach involving students’ critical reflection of their experiences in a university-level course. Seven students participated in semi-structured interviews following the course. In this course, students listened to a playlist of 14 songs per week, read and discussed zines, and recorded a sound file from a DIY circuit board or created a zine about a topic of their choosing for their final project. The instructor implemented punk pedagogy principles in a variety of ways throughout the course. Students had positive experiences with the Punk 101 course; they gained knowledge and appreciation about punk music and culture, personal growth through DIY, and community building inside and outside of the classroom. Punk pedagogy is a viable approach in higher education. Further research is warranted to understand effective ways to use punk pedagogy strategies in the university classroom, and beyond.

Community Building in Crisis: Interventions With Displaced Communities in Temporary Housing Shelters.

Emergency displacement is a widespread phenomenon impacting all facets of life and increasing rates of psychological trauma. This article analyzes the effects of shared residency among evacuated and fragmented communities, focusing on social and communal disparities in temporary shelters. By adopting theoretical perspectives of community building and social capital, it describes interventions aimed at promoting resilience within newly formed shelter communities. A qualitative study was conducted in temporary housing shelters in Israel during wartime. The study included four focus groups with 31 professionals and an analysis of recent emergency protocols. Professional interventions following displacement into temporary evacuation centers create a new reference community, "the shelter community." These mobilizing interventions include establishing volunteer emergency teams, strengthening community cohesion, and fostering community participation in renewed daily routines. Community building interventions in temporary housing shelters can foster personal and community empowerment following disasters worldwide.

Building community and advancing transparency in Political Psychology's next chapter

Building community and advancing transparency in <i>Political Psychology</i>'s next chapter