Clockwise from top left: Yuan Gong, Kealagh Robinson, Kevin Veale, Raewyn Laurenson Elder, Alice Beban, Sarah Riley, Richard Shaw and Pansy Duncan.
In eight thought-provoking early evening sessions that people can watch from the comfort of their own home, speakers from across the college will unpack how philosophy, psychology, media and politics shape the way we understand ourselves and the world. Topics range from the invisible reach of capitalism and the persistence of ‘race’ in modern society, to the power of hope, emotion and identity in shaping human experience.
Professor in Creative Communication Elspeth Tilley, who is coordinating the series, says the webinars offer an accessible and engaging way to experience the ideas that drive humanities and social sciences at Massey University.
“The Thinking Life webinars are about sharing the power of critical reflection and imagination –how we make sense of our world, why that matters and what it means for our shared future.
“Whether you’re curious about how technology shapes identity, how emotion fuels understanding or how hope can be practised amid uncertainty, each seminar offers a chance to feed your curiosity and see how Massey University research connects to everyday life.”
All individual webinars are free on Microsoft Teams, open to the public and include live captions. The series will also be recorded for later release as podcasts.
Explore the full programme on the Massey Events page.
How to join the webinars
The Future Self: Exploring Identity and Transition Points
Wednesday 19 November, 6pm
Dr Raewyn Laurenson Elder, Senior Lecturer in Counselling and Guidance
Discover how life’s turning points shape who we become and how we grow through change.
Join the event here.
Practising Hope in Uncertain Times
Thursday 20 November at 6pm
Dr Alice Beban, Senior Lecturer in Sociology
Explore how hope can be practised collectively to face uncertainty and reimagine the future.
Join the event here.
Karl Marx, Ideology and Media Cultures: How Has Capitalism Shaped Our World?
Wednesday 26 November, 6pm
Dr Yuan Gong, Senior Lecturer in Media Studies
Examine how capitalist ideas have been normalised in popular culture and how they shape our worldviews.
Join the event here.
How Does Media Influence Work?
Thursday 27 November, 6pm
Dr Kevin Veale, Senior Lecturer in Media Studies
Learn how to recognise and resist media influence in this lively, myth-busting session.
Join the event here.
‘Race’: How a Discredited Science Still Shapes Our Daily Lives
Wednesday 3 December, 6pm
Professor Richard Shaw, Professor of Politics
Unpack how the outdated concept of ‘race’ continues to affect the way we see and describe the world.
Join the event here.
Emotion in/as Popular Culture
Thursday 4 December, 6pm
Dr Pansy Duncan, Senior Lecturer in Media Studies
Explore the politics of feeling — from outrage and anxiety to happiness — in contemporary popular culture.
Join the event here.
How Digital Technology is Shaping Lives: What Our Research on Period Tracking Apps Tells Us
Wednesday 10 December, 6pm
Professor Sarah Riley, Professor in Critical Health Psychology
Discover what period tracking apps reveal about how digital tools shape identity and wellbeing.
Join the event here.
The Power of Feeling: How Emotions Shape Our Minds
Thursday 11 December, 6pm
Dr Kealagh Robinson, Senior Lecturer in Psychology
Understand the role of emotion in thinking, wellbeing and human connection.
Join the event here.
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