Welcome to Half Time Scholars - On this episode we’re joined by Nicholas Hugman, a PhD researcher at the University of Queensland, whose work explores the nuances of conversational humour—the kind of humour that arises naturally in conversation, distinct from pre-prepared jokes.

While much empirical research has examined conversational humour practices and their functions, there’s been relatively little theoretical work conceptualizing this form of humour.

Nicholas is addressing this gap by theorizing one of humour’s essential features: incongruity. Traditionally studied in linguistic or cognitive terms, incongruity refers to deviations from default expectations.

Nicholas’s innovative approach examines incongruity through an interactional lens, offering fresh insights into how humour operates in everyday conversations. As he approaches the completion of his PhD, with plans to submit in June 2025

Welcome to Half Time Scholars. On this episode our guest is Ingrid Valladares is a PhD candidate at the Centre for Justice, Queensland University of Technology. She holds a Dual Bachelor of Economics from Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador and Université Pierre-Mendès-France, a Bachelor of Education from Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja (UTPL), and a Master of International Relations from the University of Queensland.

Ingrid has primarily worked within the Ecuadorian government as an Electoral Officer and Policy Analyst. She has also served as an Office Coordinator for AIIA Victoria and is currently a board member at AIIA Queensland. Additionally, she has been a board member of the United Nations Association of Australia – Young Professionals (UNYP – Qld Division) and volunteered as a Senior Correspondent and Advocacy Team member for the Organisation for World Peace.

Welcome to Half Time Scholars. In this episode, we explore the reality of Indigenous education in northern Chile, where high rates of teacher turnover have disrupted the learning process for Indigenous students. Drawing from a qualitative study, we examine the skills and knowledge teachers need to succeed in rural, isolated Indigenous schools. Dr. Angela Baeza Peña, a lecturer at the Carumba Institute at Queensland University of Technology and a member of the Diaguita First Nation, leads the conversation. Her PhD research delved into the lived experiences of non-Indigenous teachers and the perspectives of Indigenous community members, revealing a gap between formal education and students’ real-life experiences. By addressing the challenges teachers face in remote areas, Angela's work highlights the importance of culturally responsive practices and better teacher preparation to improve the quality of education for Indigenous students. This episode will shed light on the key factors influencing teacher experiences in rural Chile and offer insights into the broader implications for Indigenous education globally.

In this episode of Half Time Scholars, our guest is Mr. Ben Levy, a scholar-practitioner with over 24 years of experience in higher education internationalisation, decolonisation, and indigeneity. Ben's career has spanned six continents, where he has demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering equitable and sustainable partnerships across diverse contexts and cultures. As a Senior International Officer at a U.S. public tertiary institution, he played a pivotal role in advancing comprehensive internationalisation strategies and securing federal grants to support these initiatives.

Currently a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Waikato, Ben's research focuses on the intersections of national, regional, and international priorities in the tertiary education systems of Oceania's island nations, including Samoa, Tonga, and Fiji. His work critically examines how global rankings and internationalisation often perpetuate colonial legacies, advocating instead for strategies that center Indigenous Oceania values and knowledge systems. By employing context-bound methodologies such as talanoa, Ben aims to contribute to a more equitable and transformational approach to internationalisation in higher education.

Join us as we explore the complexities of higher education in Oceania and discuss Ben's vision for decolonising and contextualising internationalisation to benefit Indigenous communities.

Welcome to Half Time Scholars, out guest on this episode is Dr Carla Tapia Parada a post-doctoral researcher whose project explored the relationship between teacher activist and pedagogic work in pursuing social justice in Chile. This qualitative study received the Award of Excellence in a Research thesis as well as best thesis award from the Association of Iberian and Latin American Studies of Australasia (AILASA). Carla’s research interests include activism, gender, social justice, and critical pedagogies.

In this episode, our guest is Catherine Viens, a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Development Studies in Sussex, UK, also serving as the scientific coordinator of the Canadian Research Institute on Humanitarian Crises and Aid (OCCAH), and the Risk and Safety Management training program coordinator at the same institute. Her research focuses on social movements against extractivism, fossil neoliberalism, environmental politics, and socioenvironmental conflicts, particularly in federal states such as India and South Africa. Catherine's specific focus lies in exploring questions related to access, control, and use of natural resources such as water, land, food, and energy, and examining how public policy, laws, and political decisions regarding development models impact and provoke conflicts and resistance. Her work intersects with Resources and Environmental Politics, Critical and Feminist Development Studies, and Comparative Political Science.

On this episode we feature, Agnese Pacciardi a PhD researcher at the Department of Political Science, where she focuses on borders, mobility, and security through critical lenses. Her research primarily delves into European external migration management in North and West Africa, exploring the impacts and implications of these policies. Additionally, Agnese is an active member of the feminist collective Fundación Luvo, dedicated to promoting emancipatory pedagogies and anti-racism through writing and educational initiatives.

Agnese's current research project examines how individuals in Senegal encounter and navigate imposed restrictions on their mobility. Recognizing that African mobility to Europe faces significant constraints due to policies aimed at curtailing movement, her research investigates how people continue to move nonetheless, reclaiming and redefining movement in various ways. Conducting in-depth ethnographic fieldwork in several areas in Senegal, Agnese engages with Senegalese individuals and others from West Africa to explore their practices and perceptions of mobility.

By situating her research geographically in Senegal, a place seemingly distant from the border, Agnese aims to comprehend the pervasive nature of border externalisation policies and practices that immobilize individuals even before reaching any physical border. She acknowledges the far-reaching effects these externalized borders have on those they seek to immobilize, as well as their families, friends, and communities.

Join us in this episode as we dive into Agnese Pacciardi's groundbreaking research and insights on global mobility regimes and border externalisation practices.

On this episode we welcome, Dr. Markus Holdo an Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer at Lund University, where he is deeply engaged in exploring possibilities for equality, inclusion, and solidarity. With a Ph.D. from Uppsala University in 2014, Dr. Holdo brings a wealth of experience from prestigious institutions like NYU and Harvard Kennedy School, where he served as a Visiting Democracy Fellow. His research spans a diverse range of topics, including protests, inequality, antiracism, and feminist ethics.

Passionate about democratic innovation and social movements, Dr. Holdo frequently contributes to academic debates and publications, shedding light on pressing issues such as urban participatory democracy and the right to housing. Currently, he leads a project on sustainable farming practices in Europe, funded by the Swedish Research Council. Additionally, he is actively involved in discussions on mobilizing broad-based antiracist movements and examining masculinity's role in feminist movements.

Drawing on his extensive research background, Dr. Holdo's teaching and supervision cover democracy, public administration, social movements, political theory, and qualitative methods. His expertise is further enriched by his affiliations with research environments like Gender and Politics, Global Political Thought, and Environmental Politics Research Group. Through his work, Dr. Holdo strives to inspire critical reflection and collective action towards a more just and equitable society.

#AcademicResearch #SocialMovements #Equality #Inclusion #Solidarity #PoliticalScience #LundUniversity

Link to Dr. Markus Holdo's https://www.svet.lu.se/en/markus-holdo

Maria F. Larrea is a PhD candidate at Griffith University in Australia with extensive practical experience in aviation training, hospitality, and higher education, which underpins her research endeavours. She is interested in exploring the learning process and competence development in service-sector jobs, with a particular focus on the aviation and hospitality sectors. 

Maria's doctoral project offers a holistic perspective on learning beyond formal training to enhance the competence of cabin crew members. She contends that their learning process transcends structured curricula as it evolves through the friction and negotiations of knowledge, values, and identity fostered in formal training and situated in work practice. This dynamic process sees cabin crew members consistently mediating their performance in routine and unexpected situations, shaping their professional competence and identity. 

Central to Maria's research is the recognition that social interactions, beyond technical skills, play a pivotal role in shaping cabin crew competence. Her study aims to make empirical contributions by offering insights into these social dynamics during training and at work, providing airlines with a more comprehensive understanding of cabin crew learning experiences from an insider's perspective. Ultimately, Maria's work aims to assist airlines in improving cabin crew performance and fostering positive attitudes toward their roles as safety compliance enforcers and service providers. 

Please follow Maria's work on LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/maria-larrea-544a5765