New analysis by Sian Troath has looked at what can be learnt about Australian public opinion on AUKUS from letters to the editor. The research found that the public holds a more complex view of AUKUS than is often appreciated, with both opposition and support varying widely and often based on strategic and economic analysis. This research is part of the ‘Mapping LAWS‘ project and is funded by the Marsden Fund.
A very enjoyable afternoon was had on 28 May at the Confucius Institute Chinese language competiton, with Junior, Senior and Tertiary competitors. Most places where English is a native language, foreign language learning is under attack. Student numbers are dropping. Other universities are defunding language teaching. We at the University of Canterbury value language learning […]
Read more →Yesterday the Minister for the Digital Economy & Communications Ginny Andersen visited UC for a tour of our new Digital Screen Campus and to learn about our new Bachelor of Digital Screen (Hons) degree. BDigiScreen(Hons) students will learn what it means to tell stories in Aotearoa and Te Wai Pounamu, considering issues of representation and how […]
Read more →The Magic Carpet Music Trust was formed by music patron Lyn Milne & award-winning performer-composer from UC School of Music Rakuto Kurano in May 2022 to promote music throughout rural communities in New Zealand’s South Island while providing young performers and composers with more opportunities.
At the inaugral anniversary celebration held on 13 May, 10-year-old Medbury School student Pax Read had his solo piano piece Silver premiered by Professor Mark Menzies from the University of Canterbury School of Music.
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This year, Pūmanawa Tangata | People and Culture is introducing new online training modules as part of required professional development. These modules address compliance with legislation, regulations and policy and affect all permanent and fixed term kaimahi staff.
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Our Digital Screen students experienced their first field trip last week, and were hosted by the inspiring Energy Academy, Vincent Egan and the wonderful crew at Maui Studios! Engaging and learning from companies within our own backyard of Ōtautahi is really exciting, as the team explained some great examples of animation, game, film and how these are all vital […]
Read more →This term we kicked off our Digital Screen Industry Speaker Series with game designer, producer and founder of Metia Interactive, Maru Nihoniho (MNZM). Maru shared about Māori storytelling in game development with our Digital Screen students, and her inspiring journey of how she got to where she is today.Maru has published several Māori games, Sparx, […]
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Just over 300 visitors enjoyed the chance to take a sneak peek through the UC Arts city campus during Open Christchurch last weekend, which was a real delight. Lots of former students enjoyed the chance to reminisce, while others just wanted to see a little behind the scenes. Congratulations to our hard working PACE intern […]
Read more →‘Stop Telling Bad Stories’, an important topic shared at UC’s ‘Raise the Bar’ talks night from our Digital Screen Campus, Games and Interactive Ambassador, Chelsea Rapp! Chelsea highlighted how storytelling is everywhere; movies, advertising, video games, journalism, social media, our jobs – but so many of us are so focused on facts and data that […]
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A special evening focused on UC’s new Te Kakau a Māui scholarship programme, with one of our very own Digital Screen students being a recipient and sharing about her love for storytelling.
These scholarships equip recipients to go for their goals, reach their potential and give back to their communities. This support also enables the University to provide recipients with robust support networks and programmes that will help them thrive and succeed at UC and beyond.
The winner of this year’s People’s Choice Award is Hazel Rae with her work Suits, which stood out as a clear favourite among the 478 votes that were cast. Suits is a painted triptych which reflects on the societal perception of women by reinventing images of housewives from the 1950s. With her characters imagined as playing cards, Hazel injects scenes of domesticity with chance and chaos.
Hazel Rae is currently in her third year of her Fine Arts degree at Ilam School of Fine Arts, University of Canterbury. She will be awarded a prize of $100 for winning our People’s Choice Award. Hazel stated that “having the opportunity to exhibit my paintings alongside such stunning works by women artists of the Waitaha region at the Zonta Ashburton Female Art Awards was an honour.” She also noted that “hearing that the work resonated with the public is a huge compliment, and I am extremely grateful.”
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Many congratulations to Art History PhD candidate Bojana Rimbovska, whose paper at the recent Twentieth Annual Graduate Student Symposium in Nineteenth-Century Art was awarded a Dahesh Museum of Art Prize for the Best Paper. The symposium was co-sponsored by the Association of Historians of Nineteenth-Century Art (AHNCA) and the Dahesh Museum of Art, New York, and […]
Read more →UC Geography, Linguistics and Civil and Structural Engineering have been recognised among the Top 100 of global subjects in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World Subject Rankings, released today.
While the University has held Top 100 positions for Linguistics and Civil and Structural Engineering for some time, this is the first appearance by Geography, which has been on a steady rise in subject rankings, previously placing in the top 150.
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Last Tuesday we welcomed film producer, film festival director and marketing strategist James Partridge to our Digital Screen Speaker Series. James was interviewed by our very own Stevee Taylor, while both sharing their love of film and experience of film distribution in New Zealand and around the world. The students asked many questions, and were fascinated by how […]
Read more →Our Digital Screen students were excited to welcome creative director, writer and filmmaker, Ian Sweeney to our Digital Screen Speaker Series on Tuesday evening, a well-known creative within the industry! Ian shared his love for storytelling, explaining how he writes and shapes each script for advertising, content, commercials, music videos and how the audience fall in […]
Read more →When the original Black Christmas first hit cinemas in 1974, the slasher film would unknowingly create a pop-culture phenomenon that would later rule the horror genre: the Final Girl.
The film saw Jess (Olivia Hussey) end up the sole survivor of a sorority killing-spree – the only one clever enough to remain alive by outwitting the villain and surviving when her peers couldn’t, taking all the guts, glory, and, of course, screams, for herself.
That trope of “the final girl” has become “strongly embedded in the genre”, says arts critic and senior lecturer in English and Cultural Studies at the University of Canterbury Erin Harrington, and if you look around, you’ll see her influence everywhere.
Link →Mass shootings in the United States are depressingly routine. As are the responses, that are generous on thoughts and prayers and miserly on anything meaningful. But the recent shooting in the mall in Allen, Texas, had an unusual element that confounded many.
Link →Erin Harrington spoke with the New York Times about how and why breastfeeding has become a key motif in contemporary body horror.
Link →The commitment to truth-telling has been pushed back as the news becomes more politicised in the US, according to UC Professor Donald Matheson. He spoke to 1NewsNZ about recent Fox News events and how it has been pulled further and further to the right as it competes with alternative media outlets.
Link →Massey university, on behalf of an all universities discussion group on air travel, is circulating this survey to try and gauge how people are feeling about air travel and how limits on air travel might impact different communities and stages of career development.
You might be aware that UC currently doesn’t offset air travel – they are developing a policy, I believe, to encourage staff to make real reductions in the amount we travel in a technical committee Professor Jan Evans-Freeman leads. This survey informs the wider debate for UC and all universities about how we as staff are currently thinking about our air travel. If you have time to fill it in, I know the organisers would appreciate this.
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UC’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor Pacific, Distinguished Professor Steven Ratuva says, “it’s huge for the Pacific.”
Link →The latest IPCC report stresses new climate realities, describing this decade as the “critical moment” for protecting people from climate impacts we can no longer avoid.
Lead author, UC Professor Bronwyn Hayward says, “our current pace and scale of action are insufficient to reduce rising global temperatures.”
Link →The podcast notes say: In a fascinating discussion that covers an amazing amount of ground, Free Speech Union spokesperson Dane Giraud speaks to Sociologist Mike Grimshaw of the University of Canterbury. Mike discusses the open society that relies on free speech to function versus the retreat into identity groups censorship encourages. The boys talk through […]
Read more →AI writing tools are free, easy to use and already everywhere. But is it cheating to use them to help write an essay? Shanti Mathias spoke to New Zealand academics about AI’s place in education.
Link →A new study identifying regions around the world where people are most at risk from flooding caused by melting glaciers could help save vulnerable lives.
“Continued ice loss and expansion of glacial lakes due to climate change means glacial outburst floods are a globally important natural hazard that requires urgent attention to minimise future loss of life.”
Link →People affected by climate change in regions such as the Pacific are often portrayed as victims and their history of resilience to environmental challenges is too often overlooked in policy and research.
Link →For the University of Canterbury’s Chelsea Rapp, the ability to ‘spin a yarn’ is more than an enviable talent, it’s a valuable professional skill.
In addition to being one of the oldest tools of human civilization, storytelling is a powerful instrument of modern innovation that allows us to better understand things we know little about and help us make sense of the world around us.
Link →Climate expert University of Canterbury Professor Bronwyn Hayward told RNZ’s Morning Report the outcome of COP27 was very concerning: “It’s been a very bitter, divisive, chaotic COP.” Professor Hayward said the effect a loss and damages fund would have could not be ignored, and while significant, more needed to be done
Link →Government leaders, policymakers and activists will attend the latest UN #climatechange conference in Egypt. “As a political scientist, I am very concerned about the precarious position of international climate negotiations going into COP27,” says University of Canterbury political scientist Professor Bronwyn Hayward. “In a highly distracted and dangerous world, still coping with the ongoing effects of global pandemic and its economic and social impacts, there is little visible political leadership among governments of the Global North to galvanise international cooperation for climate action.”
Link →Alex Tan, political science professor who specialises in Asian politics at Canterbury University, told AM on Tuesday the language used by Xi in his speeches shows China is worried about the global economic situation. “The language that is being used in the speeches and in his speech particularly acknowledges China’s concern about global economic volatility, the global political situation from Ukraine all the way to our region [New Zealand],” Tan told AM fill-in co-host Patrick Gower. “The emphasis on those securities is two parts. It’s the traditional military security concerns and national security concerns, but also the economic security concerns.” Tan believes China won’t invade Taiwan in the next five years.
Link →New Zealand history is Māori history first and foremost, so why is Aotearoa New Zealand history often examined in connection to Britain and colonisation? University of Canterbury Aotahi Historian Dr Madi Williams reframes ‘medieval’ Aotearoa & Polynesia in her free livestreamed Tauhere UC Connect public talk
Link →University of Canterbury Chinese politics expert Professor Anne-Marie Brady spoke to RNZ’s Perlina Lau about the significance of the recent face-to-face meeting of the presidents of China and Russia
Link →University of Canterbury Sociology Associate Professor Mike Grimshaw and Law Professor Ursula Cheer share their expertise with new Aotearoa-based web-series Community of Strangers, explaining on-line hate, radicalisation, legislation and freedom of expression.
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History Professor Katie Pickles talk to RNZ about Queen Elizabeth II’s relationship with Aotearoa New Zealand, and how the reigns of both Queen Elizabeth and her great-grandmother Queen Victoria helped raise women’s status.
“They really are the standout monarchs of the past 200 years, of modern times. They’ve very much been queens in every sense.”
Link →As we prepare for a more turbulent future driven by climate change, our traditional response to disasters is no longer enough. We need to address the underlying causes that make some communities more vulnerable than others and learn lessons from past disasters. Read more from University of Canterbury Lecturer Dr Shinya Uekusa, Massey University Professor Bruce Glavovic and University of Auckland Professor Steve Matthewman in a new article on The Conversation
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Long text: The Mapping LAWS project is holding a workshop on Experts and Expertise in the Debate over Emerging Weapons Technologies August 31 – September 1. The call for papers has just been launched, and Jack Poulson, Executive Director of tech accountability nonprofit Tech Inquiry, has been confirmed as the keynote speaker. This workshop has been organised as part of the work of the ‘Mapping LAWS‘ project, funded by the Marsden Fund.
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We welcomed Chief Executive of CODE (Centre of Digital Excellence), Tim Ponting to our Digital Screen Industry Speaker Series here at the University of Canterbury! Tim passed on various pearls of wisdom from his many years of indie game experience, including the importance of good storytelling and explained the game design process with our students step […]
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UC Ilam School of Fine Arts are hosting Fine Arts Workshops for year 13 high school students. This is a 2-day creative workshop where students can hone their skills, dig deeper into their own practice, and try different types of media. Register here
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Come and celebrate with the UC Consortia Chamber Choir at their end of semester concert! The programme includes compositions by UC alumni Dorothy Buchanan, John Ritchie, Vernon Griffiths and David Childs to celebrate Canterbrians in UC’s 150th anniversary year, as well as pieces referencing other traditional milestone anniversaries – think gold, rubies, sapphires and diamonds… Register […]
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The Arts Digital Lab invites you to a talk by visiting Canterbury Fellow Assoc. Prof. Ben Miller, 1-2 pm on Wednesday 31 May in Logie 401.
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Join Professor of Ancient History Greg Wolf (UCLA) for this free public talk.
The Roman Empire was a summer empire. It was in the spring and summer that emperors and messengers travelled, that armies campaigned, that the great monument through which we remember Roman cities were constructed. The populations of cities swelled in the summer months and the world became smaller. In this lecture, I shall be exploring that other empire, the season of disconnectedness, when movement slowed and the emperors’ reach shortened. Each winter the empire went into something like a hibernation, a period of forced inactivity, and its agents and supporters scattered across the provinces, were left to fend for themselves.
Greg Wolf has a long-standing interest in the culture of empire in the ancient world. He has worked on the formation of provincial cultures, often using archaeological material, and also on the cosmopolitan cultures of the metropolis. Much of his work considers the Roman world in a global perspective. He has written on literacy, on knowledge cultures and libraries, on ethnography, on the Roman economy, on gendered Roman history and on the emergence of religions. Currently he is working on a book on migration and mobility, and also on urban resilience as one aspect of the environmental history of antiquity.
This is a FREE public talk, but seats are limited, so please register to attend.
Where: UC Teece Museum, 3 Hereford St, Christchurch
When: Tues 20 June 2023, 6pm. Museum doors will open at 5.30pm
A showcase evening of talented contemporary singers and instrumentalists from the UC School of Music. Sun 28 May 7pm Venue: Darkroom, 336 Saint Asaph St, Christchurch Free admission REGISTER HERE
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Create the worlds we see on screen! Join us to hear from leading experts in the film, game, animation and sound world and what career opportunities are available after completion of studying our new Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours Degree here at UC! You will also hear from academic staff about the structure of our new degree, […]
Read more →UC voice student Yumeka Hildreth presents her first Masters recital with pianist Iola Shelley. A recital of art song like you’ve never seen before – like a theatrical production! Come along to see and hear Anne Frank’s story come to life in Juliana Hall’s song cycle ‘A World Turned Upside Down’ as well as works […]
Read more →Matthew Harris presents the final recital of his Master of Music degree, A Bohemian Rhapsody. This recital features two works by prominent Bohemian composers, Johann Baptist Waṅhal’s Double Bass Concerto and Antonín Dvořák’s ever popular String Quintet no.2. The programme will also include a new work by local composer and recent UC graduate Luka Readron. Matthew will be joined in […]
Read more →Marty J. Wolf (Bemidji State University), Frances S. Grodzinsky (Sacred Heart University), Keith W. Miller (University of Missouri) Thursday 25 May, 1-3pm – Beatrice Tinsley 329, University of Canterbury Zoom link Passcode: 132089
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We’ve all had little souvenirs at some time, whether bought or gifted. Wherever they come from, some of them we love, some of them make us cringe. They raise some questions, one being do they do their job, of reminding us of a time, place or event? It’s a big ask for small, cheap trinkets […]
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Concert of New Zealand Guitar Music This New Music Central concert features Chris Everest and Professor Mark Menzies performing guitar music from a range of New Zealand composers in celebration of NZ Music Month. Mon 22 May 5:15pm Venue: UC Arts at the Arts Centre, Recital Room Free admission REGISTER HERE
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School of Music performance students’ exam recitals are open to the public to attend. Please arrive 5 minutes prior to the recital start time as it will not be possible to enter late/leave the performance early. Recital schedule: Friday 10 June, Strings: 1pm, 2pm, 3pm Monday 12 June, Flute: 4pm Wednesday 14 June, Piano: 1pm, 2pm, 3pm Thursday 15 June, […]
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In June the UC School of Music is delighted to be hosting Ganesh Kumar, Sarvesh Shankar & Vignesh Shankar for two special events. Ganesh Kumar Workshop Free hand-drumming workshop full of class participation that can be attended by anyone with the drum of their choice. Saturday June 3 Recital Room, UC Arts at the Arts Centre 3-4.30pm […]
Read more →Tuesday 8 August, 9.30am – 12.30pm. To be hosted at the TSB space in Tūranga Library and the theme for this year will be ‘Digital Heritage’ – creating, using, sharing and collecting in a digital world. Roles may include anyone who works with or uses digital content in a heritage content, eg photographers / videographers, […]
Read more →Professor Katie Pickles, University of Canterbury Wednesday 17th May 12-1pm – Elsie Locke 611, University of Canterbury Zoom link: https://canterbury.zoom.us/j/95888810105 Meeting ID: 958 8881 0105
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