Embodiment of Ancestral Spirits, the Social Interface, and Ritual Ceremonies: Construction of the Shamanic Landscape among the Daur in North China

The case study in this paper is on the Daur (as well as the Evenki, Buriat, and Bargu Mongols) in Hulun Buir, Northeast China. The aim of this research is to examine how shamanic rituals function as a conduit to actualize communications between the clan members and their shaman ancestors. Through examinations and observations of Daur and other Indigenous shamanic rituals in Northeast China, this paper argues that the human construction of the shamanic landscape brings humans, other-than-humans, and things together into social relations in shamanic ontologies. Inter-human metamorphosis is crucial to Indigenous self-conceptualization and identity. Through rituals, ancestor spirits are active actors involved in almost every aspect of modern human social life among these Indigenous peoples.

DIÁLOGOS ENTRE LINGUÍSTICA APLICADA E PSICOLOGIA SOCIAL: INTERFACE ENTRE A TEORIA DAS REPRESENTAÇÕES SOCIAIS E A ANÁLISE DE DISCURSO CRÍTICA

Este trabalho objetiva caracterizar a interface que propomos entre a Teoria das Representações Sociais, no campo da Psicologia Social, e a Análise de Discurso Crítica, no âmbito da Linguística Aplicada, para o estudo do que chamamos de abordagem discursiva das representações sociais (IRINEU, 2011, 2019), para posteriormente citar pesquisas filiadas a essa interface. Para dar conta desse objetivo, discutimos o conceito de interdisciplinaridade e as características de cada uma das áreas mencionadas a partir dos estudos de KLEIMAN, 2007; CELANI, 2007; MOITA LOPES, 2006; SÁ, 1998; MOSCOVICI, 2007; DOISE, 2010. A discussão empreendida evidencia a fecunda relação que se pode estabelecer a partir da interface teórica entre TRS e ADC para pesquisas presentes e futuras sobre o estudo de problemas sociais através da linguagem e sobre o modo como grupos sociais representam, pelo discurso, objetos do mundo.

Transition From Subsistence Agriculture to Rubber Plantations in Northern Laos: Analysis of Household Livelihood Strategies by Ethnicity and Gender

The study examined livelihood changes in eight villages in Luang Namtha province of northern Lao PDR following the expansion in rubber plantations and analyzed its impact on gender roles and relations. All study villages are engaged in rubber production, but the impact is shaped by the context and history of the particular location. The study has demonstrated the importance of feminist political ecologist approach in analyzing the conjuncture and intersectionality, as well as the location that shapes these conditions to better understand the gendered impact of the introduction of rubber production. The concept of social interface has helped us to identify the shock that women and men face and the changes in access to resources as a result of the shock and the agencies that the people exercised.

Gender analysis of livelihood strategies among ethnic households in Northern Laos: From subsistence agriculture to rubber plantations

<p>The study examined livelihood changes in eight villages in Luang Namtha province of northern Lao PDR following the expansion in rubber plantations and analyzed its impact on gender roles and relations. The differential impact of rubber plantation was analyzed on the basis of location (distance from border), infrastructure (distance from roads), land ownership (concession, small farmhold) and timeline for entry into rubber plantations. Early adopters located near the border were able to gain maximum benefit from rubber plantations and these benefits were instrumental in transforming gender roles and relations in favor of women. The study showed used the concept of Long’s ‘social interface’ to argue the diversity in coping strategies employed by women and men in different locations and contexts, and questioned the sustainability of these livelihood changes.</p><p> </p>

Gender analysis of livelihood strategies among ethnic households in Northern Laos: From subsistence agriculture to rubber plantations

<p>The study examined livelihood changes in eight villages in Luang Namtha province of northern Lao PDR following the expansion in rubber plantations and analyzed its impact on gender roles and relations. The differential impact of rubber plantation was analyzed on the basis of location (distance from border), infrastructure (distance from roads), land ownership (concession, small farmhold) and timeline for entry into rubber plantations. Early adopters located near the border were able to gain maximum benefit from rubber plantations and these benefits were instrumental in transforming gender roles and relations in favor of women. The study showed used the concept of Long’s ‘social interface’ to argue the diversity in coping strategies employed by women and men in different locations and contexts, and questioned the sustainability of these livelihood changes.</p><p> </p>

Understanding the Role of Architectural Elements in Facilitating Social Interaction for a Sustainable Community Living - A Case Study of Walled City of Amritsar, India

Sustainability of a community is an intrinsic social process and social interaction plays a key role in this. Due to urbanisation, there is a high demand in the city for housing. However, for people, there is a physical and emotional association to their community they are living in. This is getting lost in the current trend of housing development. In such a development, what gets built loses the fundamental values of living together in terms of social interface and quality of life. This coupled with today’s technologically dependent era, people are busy with their works and barely know their neighbours. The current model of development fails to retain shared spaces and the notion of collective living and further favours individualism. Hence, there is need to understand aimed at understanding how the effect of spatial relationship, the architectural feature and character of the cluster, help sustain co-living.This paper focuses on understanding community living within the core city of Amritsar. The study was carried out through a survey and documentation of various identified community clusters in the walled city. It includes analysis of a cluster and individual units with respect to their arrangement and building elements that facilitate social interaction.

Stimulating Diffusion of Bio-based Products: The Role of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) Approach.

Introduction: Escalating environmental challenges have necessitated the adoption of bio-based products. The social interface between these products with low environmental impacts and the society is a dynamic site where different stakeholders, forms of knowledge, interests and powers interplay. Scientists must navigate these factors for bio-based products to become acceptable in the society. Aims: This review explores the suitability of responsible research and innovation (RRI) as an inclusive approach to research and innovation to support the adoption and diffusion of bio-based products in the society. Method: The study was essentially based on a desk review of relevant academic papers on bio-based products, bio-based economy, bioeconomy and, responsible research and innovation (RRI) from year 2012 - 2018, with reference to other publicly accessible documents and publications. Results: The review shows that despite their potentials for contributing to greener environment and sustainability, bio-based products remain controversial. Results also show that embedding RRI dimensions in development of bio-based products “from lab to market” will help build trust among stakeholders in the relevant value chain, which is a pre-requisite for the diffusion of these products in the society. Conclusion: The main conclusion of this paper is that identifying and engaging stakeholders, the publics and their concerns when developing bio-based products will ensure the products are relatively uncontested and will diffuse better throughout the society