What do we mean by ‘quality of life’ and ‘wellbeing’? Join NENA and the University of Newcastle, for a special event as part of Social Science Week, that explores Australian research findings on this important topic.
In a world grappling with profound socio-economic and ecological challenges, a growing movement of grassroots, civil society, and policy-advocacy activists and think tanks has pushed for significant reform beyond the current economic growth mania. By emphasizing the centrality of well-being and quality of life, they seek to redefine our relationship with the economy and ecology. However, the critical question remains: What do we really mean by quality of life and well-being?
Join Dr S A Hamed Hosseini, author of The Well-living Paradigm paper from the School of Humanities, Creative Industries, and Social Sciences at The University of Newcastle, for an important presentation about research carried out in partnership with NENA, in 2021. Hosted by Dr Michelle Maloney, NENA’s Co-Founder and collaborative supporter of the research, Hamed will share findings from his research, which included surveying 96 organizations/initiatives across Australia, to examine their activities, attitudes, and perceptions of well-being and quality of life. Part of the objective was to find out about the commonalities and differences emerging around these concepts in Australia.
The presentation will explore how Australian organisations and initiatives understand, articulate and work towards their perceptions of quality of life. Dr. Hosseini will also demonstrate the use of social network visualization techniques to illustrate the landscape of civil society, showcasing the linkages and intersections between different organizations based on their characteristics. This presentation promises to inspire and inform, offering valuable perspectives forpolicy advocacy, public discourse, and future research. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with pioneering ideas that challenge the status quo and envision a better future for all.
ABOUT OUR SPEAKER
HAMED HOSSEINI
S.A. Hamed Hosseini is a senior sociologist in the School of Humanities, Creative Industries, and Social Sciences at the University of Newcastle (UON), NSW, Australia. He is an elected Fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science, the author of Capital Redefined (2024, with B K Gills), the lead editor of The Routledge Handbook of Transformative Global Studies (2020), and the author of Conscientious Sociology (2013), and Alternative Globalizations (2009/2011). Hosseini is the founder and convener of UON Alternative Futures Research Network, founder and editor of ‘Common Alternatives’ initiative (www.thecommonalts.com), founder of The Well-living Lab, co-founder and convener of Alternative Futures Research Hub (UON-CHSF’s first community-partnered research hub), co-founder and co-director of New Economy Network Australia Research Hub.
ABOUT OUR HOST
MICHELLE MALONEY
Dr Michelle Maloney (BA/LLB(Hons),PhD) is the Co-founder and Director of the New Economy Network Australia (NENA) and National Convenor of the Australian Earth Laws Alliance (AELA).Michelle co-founded NENA to support the need in Australia for civil society action and solidarity around critiquing neoclassical/growth economics, and building alternative economic systems. More details about Michelle's work can be found on her AELA profile page - https://www.earthlaws.org.au/a...
ABOUT NENA
NENA is a network of organisations and individuals working to create an ecologically healthy and socially just society by transforming Australia’s economic system. NENA works by providing a platform for knowledge sharing, peer to peer support, cross-pollination of ideas and collaboration.
Visit our website: www.neweconomy.org.au or Email us: nena@neweconomy.org.au
Links discussed in the presentation:
Link to the interactive Kumu map:
https://embed.kumu.io/18cd127a96988d12d1fc1a304251d026#map-1-25-01-22?focus=%23decolonisation-and-or-indigenous-peoples-wellbeing%20out%205
In this map: Large purple circles/nodes represent the respondents’ Ultimate Outcomes they pursue. Small nodes represent the organizations/initiatives, with their names written underneath. The orange lines connect each organization to the ultimate outcomes it pursues. Their Explicit Positions are represented by color-coded rings around them (see the legend for their titles). The geometric shape of the nodes represents their geographical reach (see the legend), and different types of initiatives can be isolated by clearing the “focus” buttons below the map.
Full access to Dr Hosseini’s paper: The Well-living Paper: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44282-023-00022-8
Full access to Hossein’s book, Capital Redefined: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003340386