Public Sphere Research Articles

The relationship between knowledge accumulation and gender norms

Gender norms, encompassing social and cultural attitudes that dictate suitable behaviors for women and men, are pivotal in shaping societal dynamics. This paper explores the intricate relationship between knowledge accumulation, as reflected in a nation’s economic complexity, and its gender norms. Drawing on the revealed preferences of a substantial cohort, totaling 64,954 individuals from up to 49 countries, and their respective countries’ economic complexity indices, we uncover a non-trivial relationship. At lower levels of economic complexity, there exists an inverse correlation between less rigid gender norms and technological sophistication. This suggests that the initial stages of knowledge accumulation coincide with inflexible gender norms, particularly regarding women’s roles within households. However, as economic complexity surpasses a certain threshold, this correlation reverses. Further knowledge accumulation aligns with more adaptable gender norms, indicating a shift towards less rigidity, especially concerning women’s roles in the public sphere. These findings underline the connection between economic development and shifting gender norms. Notably, while economic complexity catalyzes a transition towards less rigid norms regarding women’s household roles at lower stages, it is only at a certain threshold that significant changes in norms pertaining to women’s public roles become evident. This study contributes to understanding the evolution of gender norms in the context of economic development. By shedding light on the intricate dynamics between knowledge accumulation and gender norms, it emphasizes the significance of considering socioeconomic factors in addressing gender norms. Findings have implications for policymakers and stakeholders offering valuable insights into the mechanisms driving societal change.

Considering the nocebo effect in the psychedelic discourse

AbstractThis commentary addresses the potential for a nocebo effect arising from the public discourse on psychedelics, especially considering the increasing interest and engagement with these substances. The resurgence of psychedelics in the public and scientific arenas has led to a proliferation of discussions, both positive and cautionary, about their use. However, an imbalance in this discourse, particularly a focus on potential harms without adequate contextualisation, might inadvertently create a nocebo effect. This effect could manifest in naturalistic settings, influencing individuals' experiences with psychedelics, possibly leading to adverse outcomes. The paper discusses the importance of a balanced narrative that equally acknowledges the benefits and risks associated with psychedelic use. It advocates for comprehensive and transparent information dissemination to enable informed decision-making by users.

“In Bitcoin We Trust": An Anthropological Approach to Bitcoin as Algorithmic Utopia

The aim of this paper is to contextualize briefly the emergence and development of Bitcoin as well as to offer an anthropological analysis of one such "algorithmic utopia" known as Bitcoin. Bitcoin was officially "born" in 2009. Its foundation was laid by the so-called white paper titled "Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System" (2008), authored by Satoshi Nakamoto, a pseudonym for an individual or a group of individuals. In essence, the intention of its creator (or creators) was to solve the technical problem of so-called double-spending of money, aiming to avoid reliance on a third party or institution (such as a bank) and the consequent loss of privacy for its users, with the help of an algorithm called blockchain. Although Bitcoin can be viewed in continuity with movements such as crypto-anarchism and cypherpunk, whose roots trace back to the 1980s of the twentieth century, and although it is not the first cryptocurrency nor the first alternative to fiat money, Bitcoin is indeed the first cryptocurrency to have attracted broader attention in both public and academic discourse. This paper will shed light on the context in which Bitcoin was born and popularized, and will endeavor to defend the assumption that the popular imagination behind the Bitcoin currency is technoutopian. Finally, this paper will seek to demonstrate that the algorithm at the very core of Bitcoin is perceived not only as the fulfillment of an Enlightenment dream of a method itself as a non-cultural and supra-historical guarantor of objectivity (as the one) removed from politics, economy and ideology but also as a democratization method applicable to them all. Apart from the mentioned above, the paper concludes that Bitcoin is seen as the fulfillment of a modernist dream of efficient, formal, predictable, depersonalized bureaucracies in the context of the diminished legitimacy of centralized, hierarchically structured, sluggish, fallible, and abuse-prone economic and state institutions. The focus of trust shifts to technology: to an algorithm seen as self-regulating, efficient, free from ideology, subjective interests, and potential abuse, almost divinely infallible, decentralized, and democratic system that provides a group of individuals not only with the necessary tools to achieve their freedom and privacy, deprived from control and regulations, but also as a tool for reforming the political and economic system.

AI Powered Sign Language Translator

The purpose of this effort is to promote equitable environments and allow people with hearing disabilities to communicate in their native language by proposing an AI-based sign language translator. We used a transformer neural network, which can analyze over 500 data points from a person's face and gestures, to translate sign language into text. The translator can expand, produce new datasets, and build models for sign language recognition thanks to our machine learning process. As a proof of concept, we developed an interpreter for emergency calls using more than 200 sign language words. The main goal is to empower people who are deaf to participate in social, political, economic, and cultural spheres of life. We see a lot of people with illnesses, including blindness, deafness, and dumbness, every day. They have trouble interacting with other people. The suggested method can translate sign language into text and voice since this study describes two-way communication between deaf, dumb, and normal individuals. Key Words: Sign Language, Inclusion, Social Development, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning.

From restoration to social media: exploring the nexus of architecture, social media and information sharing behaviours

PurposeThis study aims to explore the impact of architecture on digital communication mediums, focusing on how social media shapes the public perception and discussion of architectural spaces. It specifically examines the case of the Basilica Cistern/Istanbul, analysing social media interactions post-restoration.Design/methodology/approachUsing newspaper archive scanning and survey technique, this study observed public content on Instagram focusing on the post-restoration period of the Basilica Cistern. 406 (283 valid) people who visited the Cistern and shared their experiences on Instagram between August 2022 and January 2023 participated in a survey. The analysis utilized Python for advanced correlation studies, enabling an in-depth exploration of the interplay between architectural features and social media sharing behaviours.FindingsThe analysis revealed that historical significance, lighting elements, role as a photographic backdrop significantly influenced sharing behaviours. Correlations were found between specific spatial features of the cistern and various sharing motivations, such as communication with people, personal gain, and popularity. The study highlights a diverse spectrum of motivations among users, emphasizing the relationship between these motivations and spatial features.Research limitations/implicationsThis study underscores the necessity for further inquiry into the intricate dynamics among digital communication, architectural spaces, and user motivations. Limitations include potential challenges in gathering data from social media due to concerns of cyber fraud and the misuse of hashtags.Originality/valueThis research offers novel insights into the interplay between digital communication and architecture. It underscores the potential of digital platforms as valuable data sources for architectural theorizing and practice, particularly in understanding how restorations and architectural changes are perceived and discussed in the digital space.

Interplay of Corporate Sector, Politics, and Media in Shaping News Contents in Nepal

This paper examines the intricate implications arising from the symbiotic relationship among the corporate sector, politics, and media in shaping news content in Nepal. This study analyzes the dynamics and interplay between politics, corporate sectors and the influence they can have on the media content largely within the privately run for-profit media outlets in Nepal. The theoretical foundation for this study has been rooted in Habermas’ public sphere model of mass media (1989). The study revealed that vested corporate and political interests are hugely influential both in shaping the opinion and performance of the news media. Besides, the corporate influence, the ideological division of media outlets and journalists not only raises ethical concerns but also the quality of discourse. Taken together, they only undermine the very credibility of the media institutions which does not allow them to become what Habermas calls the public sphere.

Dynamics of English gratitude expression: a corpus-assisted analysis of UK government COVID-19 briefings

Abstract With a focus on politicians’ and medical experts’ gratitude expressions in UK government COVID-19 briefings, this research describes how perspective and intensity were modulated in expressing gratitude to realise different pragmatic intentions. This corpus-assisted analysis finds that retrospective or prospective gratitude expression was adopted by the two British elite groups to build solidarity (encouraging) and/or make requests (directing) for protecting public health. Gratitude of varying intensities was expressed (e.g. by highlighting metaphorical dimensions such as WIDTH and DEPTH) to correspond to the importance of a benefit (judged by how much the given benefit matches the receiver’s needs and preferences) and/or to implicitly display the evaluation of the benefactor’s responsibility and efforts. We tentatively formulate a dynamic model of gratitude expression in public discourse and shed light on the metaphorical conceptualisation of English gratitude expression and the power of gratitude expression in boosting social cohesion and directing social actions in a discourse of crisis.

Are professional forecasters inattentive to public discussions about inflation? The case of Argentina

AbstractWe evaluate whether professional forecasters incorporate valuable information from public discussions on social media. The study covers the case of inflation in Argentina for the period 2016–2022. We find solid evidence consistent with inattention. A simple indicator of attention to inflation on social media is shown to anticipate professional forecast errors. A one standard deviation increment in the indicator is followed by a rise of 0.4% in mean forecast errors in the subsequent month and by a cumulative increment of 0.7% over the next 6 months. Furthermore, social media content anticipates significant revisions in forecasts that target multiple months ahead inflation and calendar year inflation. These findings are different from previously documented forms of inattention. Consistent results are verified by implementing out‐of‐sample forecasts and using content from an alternative social network. The study has implications for the use of professional forecasts in the context of policymaking and sheds new evidence on the nature of imperfect information in macroeconomics.

Is the Productivity of Faculty Members Sustainable? The Perspective of Faculty Members

In the global economic landscape, a nation’s ability to secure a prominent position is intricately linked to its capacity for knowledge augmentation and technological innovation. This correlation underscores the pivotal role of universities and academicians, whose importance directly reflects a country’s level of development. The effectual execution of educational, research, and innovative pursuits within university settings necessitates the presence of qualified, productive, and dedicated academicians. As key contributors to academic, social, and humanitarian spheres, academicians bear responsibilities spanning research, teaching, societal enlightenment, and problem solving within higher education. The scholarly productivity of researchers is commonly gauged through metrics involving scientific publications and academic engagements. Notably, in many countries, advancements and appointments within academic institutions are contingent on the demonstrated productivity of academicians. Aligning with this global trend, Turkey accordingly structures its promotion and appointment procedures within academia. This study aims to ascertain faculty members’ perspectives regarding academic productivity after their associate professors’ and professors’ appointments in Turkey. Furthermore, we endeavor to identify the underlying factors contributing to this decline and increase academic productivity. Our findings emphasize the intricate interplay of various factors influencing academic productivity and sustainability. These include the significance of institutional support, economic stability, intrinsic motivation, and challenges such as bureaucratic processes and gender-related issues, which collectively shape the academic landscape and faculty members’ ability to produce impactful research over time. The research study group comprised 20 faculty members working at a public University in Turkey in the 2022–2023 academic year. This study was prepared using a qualitative research model. This study used the interview technique, one of the data collection techniques used in process-based evaluation applications. Furthermore, the obtained data were analyzed using the content analysis technique used in qualitative research methods.

The Realities of Stranger Danger across Violent Crimes

ABSTRACT Few crimes induce greater fear and anxiety than stranger-perpetrated violence. Although these crimes are less frequent than family or acquaintance violence, stranger-perpetrated violence encompasses much of the public discourse. The focus of this study is to understand the association between stranger, family, and acquaintance relationships across different types of violence. Utilizing data from the 2016 Survey of Prison Inmates in the United States, this study examines the association between perpetrator-victim relationships across homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and felony assault. The findings reveal most types of violence are perpetrated by family and acquaintances, not strangers.

Men’s Violence against Women as Portrayed in the Swedish Media: The Construction of Victimhood and the Role of the Perpetrator

Men’s violence against women is an international problem and while global and national initiatives have been created to better the criminalization process, the influence of news reporting on violence against women has not been successfully addressed in such policy. The aim of this study is to contribute to understanding how media frames violence against women in the Swedish context, which is both highly protective of crime reporting and where violence against women is a central policy and public discussion issue. A mixed methods approach was used in the analysis of 295 digital news articles that were published by four media outlets (Aftonbladet, Expressen, Svenska Dagbladet and Dagens Nyheter) within the period January 1st, 2019–December 31st, 2021. The study found that digital news articles first frame the issue of violence against women as episodic, but later transform into a thematic frame when follow-up articles were written on a given case. The study found a construction of victimhood by Swedish news media that allowed for two victim personas to be identified: the ideal victim and the ideal minority victim. In connection with the portrayal of the victim, the study also identified two different portrayals of the perpetrator: the ideal foreign perpetrator and the Swedish perpetrator. Both the description of the victim and perpetrator allowed for insights to be made regarding the role of racialization in news reporting and how this effects the framing of social issues. Finally, the study presented a set of news values that were most frequently found in articles that reveal several news factors of violence against women that contribute to the topic being seen as newsworthy.

Exploring public voice on social media: Twitter Users' views on the circular economy

AbstractThis paper aims to explore all the ideas and topics associated with the discussion about the circular economy on social media sites. All tweets mentioning the CE were collected and subjected to latent Dirichlet allocation topic modelling to identify discussion themes manual validation refined topic coherence. Findings offer novel empirical insights into how the CE is currently framed in public discourse. Dominant themes emphasise strategic communication and technical CE activities rather than inclusive participation. Gaps were also identified, such as limited discussion of CE's social role and broader activities beyond recycling. By quantitatively examining large‐scale online discussions, this research makes an original contribution to establishing the neglected social dimension of CE transitions. The findings carry essential theoretical implications for refining CE conceptualisations better to integrate socio‐cultural factors critical for just, systemic change. Practically, the study equips decision‐makers with data‐driven guidance on developing more participatory communication approaches and policies promoting the CE. This study transitions research and advances the scholarship of the circular economy by using a mixed‐methods approach to analyse a crucial but little‐studied stakeholder perspective.

Improving ethical assurance for non-university researchers in crisis settings: an early vision based on democratic norms

This article aims to open a discussion on better ethical assurance for non-university research actors drawing on democratic norms. It derives from the author’s experience of a gap in ethical assurance for social science and humanities (SSH) research that takes place outside academia, for example within international organisations, public bodies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and by private entities. Many of these actors commission, conduct or sub-contract research activities involving human participants on a regular basis, an activity that often increases during times of crisis where researchers in both the public and private sphere scramble to generate the new knowledge necessary to respond and prevent further harms. The ethical assurance frameworks for such research, while growing, remain limited. Discussion of research conducted by actors outside of university settings and their ethical assurance frameworks are both subjects under-interrogated within the literature. This paper seeks to open that discussion by presenting this broad non-university research context through the frame of research in crisis settings, where the ethical requirements of ‘do no harm’ and the ‘dual imperative’ possess an even heavier significance in research ethics. Furthermore, the global and diverse nature of crisis settings often gives rise to conversations concerning the positioning of the research actor and the need to empower the research participant. This paper presents an early vision of the non-university research actor and ethical assurance process based on the democratic norms of equality and inclusivity.

The Role of the Public Sphere of Science in Fostering Public Trust in Science in Ukraine

Introduction. The war in Ukraine has created a challenging environment for scholarly research, as many researchers and institutions have found themselves in constrained conditions and resources. Furthermore, there has been a decline in public trust in institutions in Ukraine, including the scholarly community.Problem Statement. In Ukraine, public trust in science has been consistently low in recent years. This may have negative consequences for the development of science and technology in the country, as well as for public policy decisions that rely on scientifi c evidence. Therefore, there is a need to foster public trust in the science of Ukraine.Purpose. The purpose of this research is to identify the key tools and technologies of the public sphere of science, which can contribute to building trust in science among the Ukrainian public.Material and Methods. There have been used the methods of analysis, synthesis, comparison, structural, functional, system analysis, and integration.Results. The importance of the role of the public sphere of science in shaping public trust in scholarly research in Ukraine has been established. The main tools and technologies in the public sphere of science that can be used to engage the public and to enhance trust in science in Ukraine have been analyzed. The role of social media platforms, scientifi c webinars, scientifi c platforms, and scientifi c festivals in this process and their potential for engaging the public in scientifi c knowledge and research have been discussed.Conclusions. The importance of involving the public in scientifi c decision-making processes and engagement through organizing public discussions and debates has been concluded. Another crucial step is ensuring open access to scientifi c information and promoting greater transparency. Collaboration among research organizations, the public, the government, and other stakeholders is also vital to the development of eff ective scientifi c policies. The use of innovation technologies and digital tools facilitates interaction between science and the public. Ensuring access to scientifi c knowledge and scientifi c education contributes to increasing trust in science.

Editorial

We are pleased to introduce the first issue of 2024’s Studies in Communication Sciences (SComS). Following a two-year trial period, the thrice-yearly publication rhythm is now firmly established. Thanks to our reviewers and additional efforts of the whole editorial team, it permits us to accommodate the growing number of submissions. The General Section includes an article by Konstantin Schätz and Susanne Kirchhoff from the University of Salzburg. Combining conceptual metaphor analysis and qualitative frame analysis, they explore how Austrian newspapers portrayed the initial outbreak of COVID-19 in March 2020. Building on the distinction between rhetorical and technical devices of journalistic framing, the article suggests considering metaphors as an additional “reasoning device.” Thus, ontological metaphors emphasized the fragility of the collective “we,” needing to stand together while guarding the distance. The analysis reveals a consistent journalistic framing in a neutral tone that may have favored a responsible public discussion during the crisis.

PEDAGOGICAL MONITORING OF PROFESSIONAL TRAINING FUTURE SPECIALISTS IN THE SOCIAL SPHERE IN THE PROCESS OF APPLICATION OF ELECTRONIC LEARNING

The article examines the content of pedagogical monitoring of e-learning of future social workers in higher education institutions. The modern level of e-learning in the institution of higher education has been revealed. Special forms and methods of working with students - future specialists in the social sphere are analyzed and substantiated. The list of necessary conditions for the formation of applicants for higher education with a system of theoretical knowledge, practical abilities and skills necessary for the effective realization of oneself as a professional social worker is provided; development and formation of theoretical knowledge that will contribute to the development of the student as a future specialist in the social sphere. The purpose of the article is to identify the problems of professional training and to study the special requirements for the development and implementation of electronic training courses in the process of professional training of social sector specialists capable of solving social problems. Considerable attention is paid to the problems of pedagogical interaction between the teacher and the student, based on the analysis, the strengths of e-learning are highlighted, and the expediency of its use is clarified. The main tasks are defined as follows: to identify and generalize the components of professional self-development as one of the complex forms of transformation of the inner world, which occurs in the process of self-movement of a person along his life path, on which a person knows himself, builds himself, understands the essence of his functioning; to investigate the peculiarities of vocational pre-university education as a focus for personal development on self-building, professional self-determination for the successful growth of professionals in the social sphere. Based on the results of the generalized analysis, it was concluded that the effectiveness and feasibility of e-learning takes into account not only the general principles of learning, but also the specifics of a specific field or subject. These technologies allow students to independently organize their educational process, develop independent work skills and improve their knowledge. The proposed e-learning technologies can be used in universities, faculties and departments where future specialists in social spheres are trained, as well as in advanced training courses with the aim of increasing readiness to interact with clients based on mastering a set of knowledge and skills aimed at transforming informational and reflective, professional-practical and professional-development technologies in the real conditions of the environment of the higher education institution. The conclusions confirmed the substantiation of the necessary pedagogical conditions for improving the quality of extracurricular activities in the environment of institutions of professional pre-higher education regarding future social workers in the conditions of globalization.

Πρόσφυγες ή μετανάστες; Αναπαραστάσεις των προσφυγικών ροών από τους μελλοντικούς εκπαιδευτικούς

Flows of refugee populations into a country usually create a de facto religious, ethnic, linguistic or cultural diversity which eventually has its impact on the host country’s educational system. Objectively existing heterogeneity does not mean, however, that the host country population automatically adopts a positive attitude towards this change and that it endorses without reservations or reactions the official narrative of the value and usefulness of a multicultural society. The positive attitudes of political formations, scientific unions, intellectuals, artists and other influential authorities in the public sphere may contribute to the development of a climate of acceptance of the "other", but the course of the narrative of multiculturalism from its exponents to the wider social body should not be considered linear. Of particular interest are the perceptions of future teachers about the motives behind the refugee flows to the host country. This paper presents and discusses some of the results of an empirical study on a sample of 297 students of educational faculties / future teachers on the motivations of refugees to cross the borders. The central question this article attempts to answer is (a) whether the new generation of teachers sees behind the refugee flows individuals who move because they are in danger (refugees) or persons who attempt to improve their economic life conditions (migrants), and (b) whether this perception has an impact on the degree of endorsing multiculturalism on their part as a positive social model.

Mitigating Neighborhood Stigma: Examining Strategies of Relating and Reframing

In line with social construction scholarship, the stigmatization of neighborhoods has been used to justify or advocate for gentrification and development efforts that often displace marginalized populations. Challenging stigma in public discourse can help level the playing field in support of community interests. This study examines two strategies to mitigate neighborhood stigma: create opportunities for people to personally relate to a place and engage them in the positive reframing of extant narratives. It is based on a preregistered between-groups survey experiment in which 498 local college students rated the appeal of two Black, historically disadvantaged neighborhoods in Miami: Overtown and Liberty City. It finds that ratings of Overtown are significantly lower when its name is disclosed, indicating the presence of stigma. “Relating” improves ratings of Liberty City, however, only among Black students, not white or Hispanic students. “Reframing” improves ratings but only if students buy into the more positive frame.

Social values of an added literacy: the case of Latgalian

ABSTRACT Reading and writing in Latgalian constitute an added literacy within a multilingual repertoire of skills and practices where Standard Latvian dominates. In this situation, the social and symbolic values of literacy and orthography are more important than their practical value in everyday life. This paper discusses the historical development and the current importance of the Latgalian written language from such a perspective. We draw on a case study on language attitudes conducted in 2019 as well as our observations of literacy practices and the public discourse around them during the past 20 years. For the case study, 47 semi-structured interviews were conducted with active members of the speech community. All respondents had a decidedly positive attitude towards the Latgalian written language and its use in public domains. Debates concern spelling standards and correctness, indicating the importance of visuality especially for lesser-used languages. Script ideologies form part of the community’s overall set of beliefs and constitute an important factor of varied Latgalian identities and lifestyles. The focus on standards may however have a negative effect on attitudes and practices. We claim that social aspects of writing, centring around identity, interlinguality, iconicity, and authority, must be considered in planning Latgalian literacy education.

Affecting the future: A multi-method qualitative text and discourse analysis of emotions in Australian news reporting on climate change and climate anxiety

Eco-anxiety and associated emotions are on the rise. International estimates range from 25–68% prevalence. Australians now regard climate change as their top concern for the future, with some young people reconsidering their intentions to become parents. The emotional sequela from climate change is becoming clearer. How it is conceptualised, responded to, and reinforced within public discourse requires further consideration. This paper presents a multi-method qualitative text and discourse analysis of Australian online news articles published in 2022 reporting on emotions and our ecological future. Drawing on sociological theories of emotions and Foucauldian conceptualisations of discourse, we present insights into the potency of emotions and discourses within online news media. We identify four differing conceptualisations of emotions, interpret what these discourses can do, and conclude with ways in which the public can reclaim agency in resisting discourses that engender passivity in the context of future ecological threats.