Amplifying students’ and youth’s voices in education research

Edited by Erika Abarca Millán, New York University

Given the persistent inequities and injustices in educational environments around the world, it becomes important to learn from the minoritized and marginalized communities that have suffered and endured such positions. To this end, educational research has a duty to amplify the voices of students and educators to bring these situations to light to bring awareness to the rest of their communities and to hopefully inform changes that better serve these students and educators. This edited volume includes empirical research that has aimed at amplifying marginalized and minoritized students’ and educators’ voices by examining counter-narratives, testimonios, pláticas or other similar methods. The chapters in this unprecedented volume include research conducted around the world and address important issues concerning students and educators, including public policy, special education, teacher effectiveness, culturally responsive and sustaining mentoring practices, learning disabilities, juvenile justice system, among others. This volume is aimed at anyone interested in equity in higher education and education research and can be used as a reference for research that has actively and consciously included teacher and student voices around the world.

Transglobal Humanities: Meeting the Moment

Edited by Mark K. Warford, SUNY Buffalo State University

As the world turns toward increased cultural and commercial integration, it is not clear that humanities programs are sufficiently equipped to engage a global turn in higher education. Furthermore, though “global engagement” has emerged as a buzzword with cache across campus and community organization missions, the current humanities canon may not be sufficiently equipped to meet such aims. Accordingly, the chapters contained in this volume, which reflect a richly global diversity of authors, themes, and content, critically examine structures that determine what and how the humanities are disseminated. In addition to these and other structures, including the trajectories of technological innovation and the dominance of English (-translated) works in the curriculum and the global humanities market. Additionally, we examine blendings of the local and the global, the particular and the university, as well as the many faces of the cultural other and possibilities for un-othering in humanities arts and letters, curriculum, and pedagogies.

The Literary and Human Legacy of Clara Sereni

Edited by Giulia Po DeLisle, University of Massachusetts, Lowell and Susan Briziarelli, Adelphi University

Clara Sereni lived an extraordinary life in extraordinary times. Born in Rome in 1946, she grew up in a prominent family of Jewish intellectuals whose influential role in Italian politics and in the anti-fascist resistance could not but inform Sereni’s own future social and political engagement. Coming of age during the turbulent Sixties, Sereni embraced the struggle for women’s rights, social justice, and political reform, championing Eduardo Galeano’s notion that utopia always stands at the horizon, and one must keep walking to reach it. Activist, journalist, writer, translator, but also musician, disability rights champion, home-maker, and wife; her multiple and often conflicting roles emerge in a rich and multifaceted writing, increasingly balanced between the public and the private, history with a capital “H”, and personal memoir. Her first major success, ‘Casalinghitudine (Keeping House)’, explores the juncture of the public and the personal as important historical moments merge with her workaday memories of cooking. Her remarkable historical novel ‘Il Gioco dei Regni (The Game of Kingdoms)’ traces her family history from the early 20th century through the post-war period, chronicling their personal lives and their involvement in Italian politics and Jewish intellectual life. Subsequent works such as ‘Taccuino di un’ultimista’ (‘Notebook of a Meek Woman’) and ‘Passami il sale’ (‘Pass me the Salt’) tackle the difficulties of negotiating life as a political figure, wife, and mother of a disabled son. In works such as ‘Eppure’ (‘And Yet’), ‘Le Merendanze’ (‘Afternoon Snacks’) and ‘Una storia chiusa’ (‘A Closed Story’), as well as ‘Il lupo mercante’ (‘The Mongering Wolf’) and ‘Via Ripetta 155’ (‘155 Ripetta Street’), she again intertwines private experiences and public circumstances, raising questions related to gender, class, disability, the elderly, and sustainability. This is the first volume that brings together the critical aspects of Clara Sereni’s work, providing a comprehensive view of the writer, the intellectual, the politician, and the woman. As we reflect on the 20th century, Sereni’s long-spanning writing career stands as an important document of its struggles, its conflicts, and, like Sereni herself, its enduring idealism.

Gender, Sexuality and Life Course

Research and Dialogues over Contemporary Social Transformations

Edited by Carlos Eduardo Henning, Universidade Federal de Goias (UFG), Brazil et al.

Based on ethnographic research carried out in diverse Latin American contexts, Gender, Sexuality and Life Course: Research and Dialogues over Contemporary Social Transformations offers a complex picture of the intersection of life stages and the social markers of class, gender and sexuality; a topic that has garnered much attention in Brazil, Argentina and Mexico over recent years. This volume successfully interweaves investigations into these themes in various contexts. Concentrating on Brazil, topics include the premature aging of Brazilian women, how situations of sexual violence against adolescents are constructed and named in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, and how Brazilian gerontology deals with sexuality in old age and how patients react to this treatment. In terms of the Argentine context, chapters examine how the process of the constitution of “LGBTIQ elders” creates an idea of shared meaning in terms of aging, and the suffering experienced by Argentine heterosexual men with the marks of aging. Finally, chapters also concerned with the conditions in which Mexican men begin their sexual life, as well as social support networks that are woven by travestis of different generations and their narratives on aging. The interdisciplinary nature of this volume results in a wide range of interest for graduate students of social and cultural studies, sexuality studies, LGBT and queer studies, gerontology, life course, and Latin American studies. It would also hold appeal for social activists of LGBTI issues, social workers, psychologists, social and cultural anthropologists, and public health professionals.

Udbhēda: Details of Bangladesh Life & Adda

Kathryn Hummel, Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani, KK Birla Goa campus, India

'Udbhēda: Details of Bangladesh Life & Adda' recounts the lived experiences of three diverse individuals—Sampurna, Afreen and Nusrat—as related in conversation with the author. Framed by the methodology and methods of narrative ethnography, 'Udbhēda' describes the details that comment on or even challenge broad definitions and portrayals of Bangladesh and its people, particularly women and hijra. Beneath these narratives runs the author’s subjective account as a researcher, writer, cisgender woman and foreign visitor to Bangladesh. Evoking the everchanging scenes and moods of Dhaka, this multi-genre work combines prose, prose poetry and critical reflection to explore themes including gender, sexuality, class, family, education, work and postcolonial identity. This innovative approach to ethnographic writing embraces the cultural practice of adda—unbounded, often revelatory conversation—as both subject and method. 'Udbhēda' employs a considered, intersectional approach, relating perspectives frequently marginalised in discipline- and industry-specific discourse on Bangladesh, adding depth to the exploration of culture and identity beyond binaries. Balancing vivid storytelling with contemplative academic analysis, this book offers valuable insights for anthropologists, gender studies scholars and development practitioners. Hummel’s self-reflexive stance and exploration of the ‘illegitimate’ side of ethnography, in the tradition of Ruth Behar’s 'Translated Woman', make 'Udbhēda' an exemplary text for teaching qualitative research methods. The accompanying exegesis provides a transparent account of the author’s research process, engaging with crucial concepts in postcolonial theory, feminist ethnography and ethnographic representation. Accessible to both academic and general readers interested in innovative approaches to cross-cultural research and writing, 'Udbhēda: Details of Bangladesh Life & Adda' offers a layered interpretation of the testimonies of three remarkable people. It is a vital text for anyone seeking to look deeper at the complexities of gender, identity, culture and everyday life in contemporary Bangladesh.

Anglo-Burmese Culture: Letters from my mother

Merle Audrey Jacobs

This work, written for the Anglo-Burmese community, adopts an interpretive paradigm and delves into the complex markers of the Anglo-Burmese culture, a blend of British and Burmese influences during the colonial period. The community is primarily composed of individuals of mixed European and Asian ancestry who held privileged positions akin to those of the Anglo-Indians in India during the British colonial era. The community's development was influenced by British laws, values, and norms. It uses social science theories and methods in developing Anglo-Burmese culture and does not intend to be a book on unpacking British history. The work explores belonging as a fundamental human need that is crucial in shaping one's personal identity as an Anglo-Burman. The book utilises various sources, including autoethnographic recollections, survey responses, open-source social media narratives, historical documents, and secondary accounts, to comprehensively understand Anglo-Burmese culture. Various groups, such as British colonialists, anthropologists, theologians, novelists, politicians, and historians, have contributed their perspectives, impacting the representation and documentation of mixed-race individuals in India and Burma during that time. The portrayal of mixed-race persons as half-caste and the intrigue surrounding interracial relationships were prevailing themes among those depicting the Anglo-Burmese and Anglo-Indian communities during the 19th century. The process of Anglo-Burmese assimilation into British societal norms can be observed through the analysis of historical and political power dynamics, particularly with regard to education and religion in British Burma. This book constructs Anglo-Burmese culture from within the community. With a rich blend of Asian and European heritage infused with the values of British colonialism, the Anglo-Burmese culture has evolved into a truly unique and intriguing cultural phenomenon. The book offers an extensive study of this culture, shedding light on its customs, traditions, and way of life from their lived experience. The Anglo-Burmese community inhabited a distinctive liminal zone between the coloniser and the colonised. These details offer a wealth of insights into Burma's complex tapestry and the intricacies of race and colonial hegemony. The Anglo-Burmese community's displacement to Western nations as a result of Burma’s independence, World War II and the Ne Win military regime had a significant influence on their cultural heritage and identity. With the gradual passing of the older generation of Anglo-Burmese in the diaspora, we will see their knowledge, practices, and customs that constitute the distinctive Anglo-Burmese culture being lost over time.

The Real Aftermath: How COVID-19 Changed the Way Science Fiction is Conceived, Read, and Interpreted

Edited by Riccardo Retez

'The Real Aftermath: How COVID-19 Changed the Way Science Fiction is Conceived, Read, and Interpreted' offers a profound exploration of how the COVID-19 pandemic has redefined the boundaries of speculative fiction. Through contributions from scholars in literature, media, and cultural studies, this volume examines the pandemic's deep impact on science fiction as a genre and cultural phenomenon. The book navigates the thematic, stylistic, and ideological shifts that have emerged in response to the global health crisis, revealing how science fiction has become a mirror of contemporary societal anxieties, from isolation and contagion to resilience and dystopia. Drawing from a rich array of media, including literature, film, and video games, 'The Real Aftermath' delves into the portrayal of existential threats and explores how speculative narratives provide frameworks for imagining future crises and solutions. By addressing both cultural and technological disruptions, the book positions itself within the growing body of critical literature on the intersection between global crises and fiction, offering original insights into the transformative power of science fiction in post-pandemic society. This volume is an essential resource for scholars and students in literature, science fiction studies, media, and cultural analysis. It can serve as a reference for academic research, a methodological aid in classroom discussions, and a guide for practitioners interested in the role of fiction in interpreting and responding to global crises.

Ways Forward: Progressive Approaches to Providing Therapy with Autistic Individuals

Edited by Britt Angela Couchman, Autism Approach

'Ways Forward' is a groundbreaking text completely unique in its approach as it brings together the experiences of Autistic practitioners, research practices from the field and lived experiences. 'Ways Forward' offers progressive approaches and strategies for practitioners to better understand consumer needs. The text is designed to assist practitioners who work with Autistic individuals along with those who are completing undergraduate or postgraduate studies related to providing mental health support to Neurodivergent people. 'Ways Forward' is underpinned by research that notes the importance of the inclusion of first-hand accounts and co-researching within Autistic Communities. Reviews of this text have noted its importance in reshaping the landscape of therapy approaches for Autistic Individuals in that it is uniquely written by Autistic practitioners and can be employed in the field for the empowerment of Neurodivergent service users. Within the research, there is a call for more work of this nature to be increasingly present in an effort to inform therapists from a lived experience perspective.

Navigating Boundaries: A Comprehensive Study of Postcolonial Theory and Literature

Shuchi Agrawal

'Navigating Boundaries: A Comprehensive Study of Postcolonial Theory and Literature' delves into the intricate area of postcolonial discourse, amplifying the voices emerging from the margins, challenging dominant narratives while exploring the themes of identity, mimicry, hybridity, power and resistance. Drawing from key theorists such as Edward Said, Homi K. Bhabha, Frantz Fanon, Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, Philip G. Altbach, Deepesh Chakravarthy, Chandra Talpade Mohanty, Gauri Viswanathan etc., this book offers a deep investigation into the multiple aspects of theoretical frameworks that shape postcolonial discourse. The analysis moves seamlessly from theory to literature, investigating how postcolonial literary texts navigate critical issues such as hybridity, mimicry, identity and resistance. A vital resource for students, research scholars, teachers, and anyone curious about the dynamic field of postcolonial theory and literature, this book calls readers to reflect, question, and join the discourse on the complex narratives that continue to shape our world. Generally, most of the postcolonial critiques explore linguistic imperialism, but this book makes a groundbreaking contribution by foregrounding the use of vernacular languages in literary texts and critical theory, positing that this is not just an aesthetic choice but a form of resistance and identity reclamation. In doing so, it echoes Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o’s call for linguistic decolonization and applies it in a broader, more diverse context, examining how the act of writing in local languages disrupts colonial power dynamics and fosters cultural preservation. While much of postcolonial criticism tends to centre on broad historical and political analysis, 'Navigating Boundaries' emphasizes the multiple voices coming from Africa, Caribbean and South Asia, offering a more intimate look at identity formation in postcolonial settings. Moreover, the book’s interdisciplinary approach strengthens its position in the field. By weaving in cultural studies, sociology, and psychological perspectives on gender, trauma, ethnicity and memory, it opens up fresh pathways, making the work relevant not just for literary scholars, but for those interested in a wider discourse on postcolonial theory.

Sintiendo el calor: Perspectivas internacionales sobre la prevención de la ignición de incendios forestales

Janet Stanley, University of Melbourne et al.

| Altamente recomendado por CHOICE, julio de 2021 Vol. 58 No. 11 En el contexto del cambio climático, el crecimiento de la población mundial y el colapso de los sistemas ecológicos, los incendios forestales suelen ser un acontecimiento catastrófico y traumático. Su impacto puede incluir la pérdida de vidas, lesiones que cambian la vida, estrés psicológico a largo plazo; aumento de la violencia doméstica; destrucción de propiedades, negocios y ganado; inseguridad en la vivienda a largo plazo; aumento de las primas de seguros, de los costes de extinción de incendios, legales y sanitarios; así como cambios significativos y pérdidas de especies en el entorno natural. “Sintiendo el calor: Perspectivas internacionales sobre la prevención de la ignición de incendios forestales” es la culminación de más de una década de investigación sobre los incendios forestales y provocados, y adopta un enfoque interdisciplinar para comprender el tema de forma exhaustiva. Este libro revisa los conocimientos internacionales actuales y presenta nuevos hallazgos sobre los factores de riesgo políticos, espaciales, psicológicos, socioecológicos y socioeconómicos. En él se argumenta que si queremos invertir la tendencia al aumento de la incidencia y la gravedad de los incendios forestales, hay que utilizar todos los enfoques de prevención, ampliando la dependencia de la modificación del medio ambiente. Tales medidas de prevención van desde la importancia crítica de reducir los gases de efecto invernadero hasta el tratamiento de los factores psicológicos y socioeconómicos que provocan los incendios. En particular, se aboga por un enfoque coordinado y colaborativo entre sectores, que incluya la coordinación a nivel local, estatal y nacional, así como un organismo internacional. La obra resultará de interés para investigadores y estudiantes de distintas disciplinas e intereses, planificadores y responsables políticos, servicios de emergencia, asesores y organizaciones no gubernamentales (ONG), así como para el sector agrícola y forestal.

A Vain Talent? The Question of Female Artistry in the Life and Work of Anne Brontë

Edited by Taten Shirley, Faulkner University

The main goal of this anthology is to aid Brontë scholars, along with undergraduate and graduate students alike, in their research of Anne Brontë, specifically in regards to the question of her artistry in her own life and the theme of artistry in her novel, 'The Tenant of Wildfell Hall', and her poetry. While there have been numerous publications on the Brontë sisters, there is the least amount of scholarship on Anne. Literary criticism of Anne is usually included within commentary on her sisters as a whole, and Anne is always discussed the least in the works. There are few, if any, anthologies on Anne’s writing, especially not one that focuses on artistry specifically. This anthology seeks to reduce the disparity of scholarship on Anne compared to her sisters. The chapters all focus on artistry in some aspect of her life or her writing. The first chapter focuses on Anne’s poetry and how it can be viewed as a therapeutic for her homesickness while at Thorp Green. Chapter two examines the ways in which Anne Brontë demonstrates that Agnes Grey’s pedagogic craft is one steeped in virtue but punctuated by limited authority, thus stressing the inherently artistic nature of education as aesthetic expression that ultimately remains subordinate to the power of individual autonomy. The third chapter examines Helen Huntingdon through the medieval lens of chivalric domestic violence. Chapter four discusses how Anne’s artistry impacted the characters she wrote, illustrating how Helen’s career as an artist relies on the commercial prospects that painting permits to investigate the problems and disagreements that occur when a woman endeavors to construct “a room of one’s own” outside the conventional societal circumstances. The fifth chapter explores how Brontë traces Helen Huntingdon’s moral and emotional development through her art and how characters of both genders interact with that art and how the acts of production and interpretation serve as an important dimension of her social critique and refusal to conform to gendered expectations of her own art. Then the sixth chapter examines Victorian women’s artistic skills and their modest craft of sketching imaginary kingdoms and painting realistic landscapes and (self-)portraits in Anne Brontë’s 'The Tenant of Wildfell Hall' (1848) and in Charlotte Brontë’s 'Jane Eyre' (1847), as the equivalents of unprofessional female writings expected in the nineteenth century. The seventh chapter explores the use of art as a means of escape from an unvirtuous marriage in 'The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.' Lastly, the eighth chapter takes a closer look at why exactly Anne is the least-known sister by contrasting the supernatural in Charlotte’s 'Jane Eyre' to the realism in Anne’s 'The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.'

Center and periphery: Twenty-first-century literature, cinema, media from Spain

Edited by Amparo Alpañés, Washington & Jefferson College

In a country where the richness of diverse cultures is often overshadowed by historical conflicts, this book delves into the complex relationship between the so-called “center” and “periphery” within Spain’s borders. Traditionally, the center has symbolized Castilian identity, while the periphery encompassed other regional cultures. But in today’s rapidly evolving social landscape, what do these terms really mean? This groundbreaking work reexamines the “center vs. periphery” paradigm through the lens of contemporary Spanish literature, cinema, and media. It poses critical questions about the existence and nature of a unified Spanish identity and investigates whether the tension between these cultural spheres persists. The book also challenges readers to consider which aspects—linguistic, gender, or other forms of identity—play the most significant role in this dynamic. Furthermore, it scrutinizes whether marginalized groups such as BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and differently-abled communities are relegated to the periphery in modern Spain. With no other published work focusing on these issues in 21st-century Spain, this book offers a fresh and nuanced perspective on cultural tensions that have shaped and continue to shape the nation. Its innovative approach makes it an indispensable reference for researchers and students in gender and women’s studies, Queer studies, media studies, Spanish literature, and language, as well as those exploring nationalism, separatism, race, and Blackness.

False Idols: How Diversion is Destroying Democracy

Kurt Warner

The ancient Roman poet and satirist Juvenal stated that people were distracted by “bread and circuses” rather than engaged in their civic duty. Juvenal argued these bread and circuses, or basic needs and entertainment, consumed the thoughts and lives of the average Roman no matter what was happening in the Republic around them. The powerful political forces in society used many different forms of distraction to enable them to do what they wanted unimpeded by the masses. 'False Idols: How Diversion Is Destroying Democracy' picks up where Juvenal left off. The book is a journey through contemporary America and it illustrates how the concept of “bread and circuses” is as powerful and as relevant now as it was in the days of ancient Rome. It examines the deliberate distractions that are created by the cultivation of false idols. The distractions include the adoration of celebrities and parasocial interactions, the economic culture and the implicit belief systems contained within it, sports and the adoration of athletes, the political system and structure, the art, music, and literature we spend our time listening to and watching, the internet and social media that occupies so much of our time, and the video games that occupy the minds and much of the lives of so many people. As long as everybody is chasing and distracted by these bread and circuses, they are willfully negligent to the goings-on in the very fabric of the social network that is of our society, government, and country. The more negligent they become, the more the democracy continues withering and dying. This book systemically deconstructs a modern society that seems designed to consistently pull us away from rather than draw us toward the creation of a better existence for all.

Stories from the Front Line: The People Behind the NHS Headlines

The People Behind the NHS Headlines

Yvonne Bennett, Canterbury Christ Church University and Christina Stead

NHS Scotland appears to be in crisis. Today the British media is full of headlines such as “89-year-old great-grandmother waits 5 hours for an ambulance.” These are a talking point for a day or two and then another headline of a similar ilk takes over. This book examines the traumatic experiences of the elderly people whose stories make up these headlines. The authors have carried out research into the effects of long waiting times for ambulances and the problems that NHS Scotland is facing through chronic staff shortages. The waits and the limitations to patient care have long term implications for the patients, the relatives and the staff. Throughout the book we discuss iatrogenic disease/harm that is occurring daily for patients, visitors and staff. The book concentrates on the new Glasgow hospital, The Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, which opened its doors in 2015. This is one of the largest hospitals in Europe and replaces 5 older Glasgow hospitals and has been beset by major problems since its opening. By interviewing relatives and staff, the authors have examined their experiences both during and following a traumatic event. Themes found throughout the book include poor communication, trauma, low staff morale, suicide and the problems caused by the size and design of the hospital. The authors have also analysed statistics from NHS Scotland and Scottish Ambulance Service regarding waiting times and the use of agency staff. The overarching goal of this book was to give a voice to those behind the statistics.

Nostalgia, Anxiety, Politics: Media and Performing Arts in Egypt, Central-Eastern Europe, and Russia

Edited by Tetyana Dzyadevych, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

This volume shows that the cultural production of nostalgia is a major tool for structuring feelings of resentment and anxiety. The current volume is concerned with collective nostalgia as it has been elicited, channeled, and weaponized by media production agents. The book aims to analyze how the performing arts and media (music, cinema, TV, etc.) generate and shape the feeling of collective nostalgia. It shows how the cultural production of nostalgia reflects distinct social-political contexts and serves particular political purposes. The collective monograph prioritizes cases from the post-Soviet context. However, the authors do not argue that the collapse of the socialist bloc in general, and the USSR in particular, has established some unique nostalgic precedent. The book claims that mechanisms of producing nostalgia and marshaling it for political purposes are broadly similar in most (modern or postmodern) settings. It is not our intent to demonize Russia, nor do we want Russia to be our dominant frame of reference, even if, in most of our cases here, 'nolens volens' appeared first in Russia-centric post-Soviet discourse. The “Russian bloc” has been placed in the second part of the book in order to give primacy to non-Russian subjects.

Asian Perspectives on Education: Inclusivity and Diversity

Edited by Jie Zhang, State University of New York (SUNY) Brockport, USA and Natalie Sarrazin, State University of New York (SUNY) Brockport,USA

The idea of “Asia” is contested in the literature as a concept in terms of unification in any sense e.g., regionally, economically, and politically (see Duara [1995] 2019; Acharya, 2010), which makes a book of this nature challenging. The use of inclusion and diversity as a lens of discovery is not only synchronically topical but provides an important outlet for unheard voices and marginalized perspectives otherwise silenced or ignored in education and Asian literature. The lens by which the book is written combines multiple streams of diversity and inclusion with that of K-12 and higher education in an Asian context, and it allows room for individual Asian voices and perspectives both in and outside the classroom. Inspired by a panel presented at the 2021 New York Conference on Asian Studies (NYCAS) on the very topic of inclusivity and diversity in Asian education, the book broadened the original focus from the COVID-centered to one that allowed the exploration of a wider geographic area and cultural area as well as new subjects. Moreover, our text includes a focus on individuals with disabilities, multicultural education, and cross-disciplinary efforts across cultures. This book covers broader topics regarding inclusivity and diversity in education from multiple Asian perspectives and ranges from various educational levels (that is, elementary, secondary, and post-secondary institutions), different school settings (that is, public and private schools), and a variety of Asian countries and areas (that is, Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, and Taiwan). This book gives a well-rounded representation of the issues through theoretical focus, practical applications, and research studies, contributed by authors from various international institutions and countries or countries of origin, including Bangladesh, China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, and the United States.

Reproductive uncertainty: Understanding the regulations on assisted reproductive technologies in China

Tiantian Chen, University of Cambridge

This book provides the first sustained account of intense debates in China over the ban on single women’s access to assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs). Drawing on the author’s fieldwork in clinics and government agencies in Beijing, it mainly explains Chinese policymakers’ and clinicians’ rationale for restricting single women’s use of ARTs even if they celebrate ARTs as a success of Chinese modernization strategies. The main concept explored in this book is uncertainty. ARTs become a source of discomfort for the Chinese government and clinics because they reveal the uncontrollability of human destiny; they introduce ambiguities into genetic and legal paternity; and they undermine clinical and bureaucratic authority. This book uses ARTs as a lens on broader social changes in China. The uncertainty of ARTs reflects the limits of Chairman Deng Xiaoping’s reform. It also informs that the Chinese government has reversed policies by repackaging tradition and tightening party control. The book’s interpretation of uncertainty challenges the linear and progressive paradigm of modernization. China’s development path is distinct from the sequential logic of Western, modernist conceptions of history.

Global Perspectives on Online Education During a Time of Emergency: Conditions, Contexts and Critiques

Edited by Patricia Marybelle Davies, Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia

‘Global Perspectives on Online Education During a Time of Emergency’ presents viewpoints on the unprecedented shift to online education as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to broaden and deepen readers’ understanding of studies that could better address academic issues related to teaching and learning online. The pandemic triggered the disruption of national educational systems and a rapid transition to online education, but there were few guidelines on how to proceed. Consequently, the role of educational technologies and distinctions between formal and informal learning became blurred (Greenhow & Lewin, 2016). This volume examines how educators adopted new pedagogical practices, adapted to flexible working environments, and tackled new technologies to maintain educational systems following the global outbreak of the coronavirus. It showcases innovative practices and critiques several learning theories of online education. The chapters are developed using two main approaches: empirical investigations and reviews of existing research. The empirical chapters present significant new findings of broad relevance. The review chapters use established studies to describe recent developments of broad significance and highlight unresolved questions and future directions. The volume, as a whole, provides research-based insights on evidence on the contexts and conditions of the emergency transition to online education worldwide and useful recommendations on emergent directions in online education. This is a vital text for educational researchers, technologists, and practitioners. It includes empirical data, theoretical questions, and methodological approaches addressing online education. The volume explores flexible learning, alternative pedagogical practices, and changes in digital environments, examining futuristic approaches at a crucial moment of global reform in online education.

Jesuits in Science Fiction: Reason and Revelation on Other Worlds

Edited by Richard Feist, Saint Paul University

From their founding in 1540 to this day, Jesuits have been controversial. Their centuries of missionary work have taken them to all corners of the world. They have been accused of killing Kings and Presidents and contributing to colonization and destruction of cultures—even participating in enslavement. But the Jesuits have also been seen as bringers of light and education. With their ferocity of purpose and intellectual rigor, the Jesuits’ impact on world history cannot be ignored. No surprise then, that Jesuits appear in literature, especially that literature of ideas, exploration, and social commentary, otherwise known as science fiction. This unique collection of essays explores how the Jesuit has long been part of science fiction’s history and how Jesuit ideas and characters are featured in some of science fiction’s greatest works. In this collection, we see Jesuits continue their missionary spirit as they take leave of the earth, moving their missionary labors literally towards the heavens. Reason and revelation are now indeed on other worlds. In this collection, we have explorations of philosophy, science, theology, and culture, all done in typical Jesuit fashion, always in various and foreign contexts. This collection is akin to others in its linking of religion and science fiction, but it is unique in its concentration on the Jesuits and science fiction. This collection will be of interest to scholars working and researching in the field of science fiction studies and would be suitable for courses on science fiction. But it will also be of interest and accessible to those of us who simply love science fiction for its power to explore other worlds and, in this case, to take some of the deepest human reflections, namely those on God, morals and culture, lift them up, and see what forms they may take on other worlds.

Los jesuitas y la gestión religiosa intercultural a principios de la Edad Moderna

Capital humano, mentalidad global y obra misionera en Japón y Perú durante los siglos XVI y XVII

Frank Jacob, Nord University, Norway

Este libro analiza el papel del capital humano y la mentalidad global de la exitosa gestión intercultural de la Compañía de Jesús en los contextos geográficos de Japón y Perú durante los siglos XVI y XVII. Evalúa y analiza datos históricos de más de 200 jesuitas según la teoría de gestión moderna. El trabajo es, por tanto, un estudio interdisciplinario relacionado con la historia de las órdenes religiosas, la expansión europea, la gestión transcultural o intercultural, y muestra cómo los misioneros jesuitas en Japón y Perú lograron y estimularon una expansión exitosa de la influencia de su orden en estas regiones del mundo. Si bien analiza un tema histórico, el libro también será de interés para los gerentes de hoy en día, y para todos aquellos interesados en crear una exitosa estrategia para la gestión intercultural.