Raising the Bar Christchurch 2024

Mark Rickerby, a Lecturer in the University of Canterbury’s School of Product Design, explores the concept of enshittification, highlighting the decline in user experience with digital products. He examines how tech giants initially offer excellent services, then commodify users for business clients, and eventually prioritize profits over both. Rickerby considers whether this trend is an inevitable outcome of neoliberal capitalism or shaped by cultural and technological shifts in the 2000s and 2010s. He also discusses potential optimism for the internet’s future and how we might build a healthier digital ecosystem.

Dr. Erin Harrington, Senior Lecturer in the English Department at the University of Canterbury, explores how scary stories, from fairy tales to horror games, shape our lives and memories. Often dismissed as guilty pleasures, these experiences of "recreational fear" may offer surprising benefits. Dr. Harrington investigates how the thrill of fear can help us engage with and reimagine the world in new ways. Her academic work on horror media has been featured internationally, and her arts and theatre writing has appeared in publications across Aotearoa.

Kari Moana and Sara, university-based teacher educators and researchers in UC’s Te Kaupeka Ako Faculty of Education, explore the intense debate surrounding mātauranga Māori in Aotearoa New Zealand's science classrooms. As curricular reforms challenge traditional views, critics argue that integrating Indigenous knowledge could dilute "real" science, while supporters say it's long overdue. This discussion delves into whether we're on the verge of an innovative fusion of knowledge systems or entering a new realm of controversy. With expertise in mātauranga Māori, science education, and decolonisation, Kari Moana and Sara examine the transformative possibilities at the intersection of Indigenous knowledge and science in Aotearoa and the Pacific.

Dr Jacinta Cording, a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology at the University of Canterbury, explores the effectiveness of offender rehabilitation as an alternative to punitive sentencing. This talk examines evidence-based practices that reduce recidivism, from boot camps to prison-based treatments, and highlights tailored approaches that address individual needs. Dr Cording challenges the idea that "commonsense" approaches can reduce crime and emphasizes the crucial role rehabilitation plays in building safer communities.

Professor Ben Kennedy, a science communicator and Professor in the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Canterbury, first asked, "Why do volcanoes erupt?" at the age of five. Now, 44 years later, he continues to explore this question with advanced tools and experiments. Ben shares his passion for magma, bubbles, cracks, and pressure, discussing the interactions between earthquakes and volcanoes, the exciting experiments on magma, and tales of erupting volcanoes.

Dr Andrew Vonasch, a Senior Lecturer Above the Bar in the School of Psychology, Speech and Hearing at the University of Canterbury, explores "phantom costs"—why people imagine hidden drawbacks when offered something overly generous. Even if paid to eat a cookie, many refuse, believing something must be wrong. Dr Vonasch explains when and why people imagine these costs and the consequences of this thinking.

Dr Christoph Bartneck, Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering at the University of Canterbury, explores the long-standing promise of robots that would handle household tasks and serve as teachers, caregivers, and companions. Despite advancements in social robots, they remain absent from our daily lives. Figures like Elon Musk continue to push the dream of humanoid robots, yet we must first ask what tasks are best left to humans. The rise of human-like robots also challenges us to reflect on our own identity and humanity.

Dr Tyron Love, Associate Professor in Management at the University of Canterbury Business School, explores how universities have endured for centuries, with the University of Bologna dating back to 1088. Despite current reviews of the university sector in Aotearoa New Zealand, Dr Love explains why there is little threat to the existence of universities. His research focuses on how Indigenous peoples, particularly Māori and Native academics, experience Western institutions.

Dr James Mehigan, Associate Professor of Law at the University of Canterbury and a Barrister at Garden Court Chambers in London, examines the paradox of Aotearoa New Zealand being one of the safest countries in the world while maintaining a high imprisonment rate. Dr Mehigan explores how many people truly need to be incarcerated and considers the possibility of a future without prisons.

Dr Adrian Clark, Associate Professor in the University of Canterbury’s School of Product Design, explores the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence, from its origins in the 1950s to the rise of Large Language Models and Generative AI today. As AI capabilities advance, a key question emerges: "How long until AI does my job better?" Dr Clark discusses AI's current abilities, its future trajectory, and whether there is reason to fear its progress.

Dr Rebecca Peer, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Civil and Natural Resources Engineering at the University of Canterbury, explains the central role of energy in our society. From its basic principles to the challenges we face, Dr Peer discusses the close relationship between energy and climate, the need for an energy transition, the difficulties involved, and why there is still hope for a successful shift toward a sustainable future.

Dr. Christian Walsh, Senior Lecturer and Associate MBA Director at the UC Business School, examines the balance between AI’s strengths and weaknesses, humorously termed "Artificial Stupidity," and human traits like creativity, curiosity, intuition, and handling ambiguity. He explores where AI tools add value and where they fall short compared to human intelligence. Dr. Walsh's teaching and research focus on helping people unleash their curiosity, intuition, and creativity to make a positive impact in the world.

Dr. Tara Ross, Senior Lecturer in Journalism, Media, and Communication at the University of Canterbury and an award-winning former journalist of Pākehā and Tuvaluan descent, explores how traditional Western journalism often falls short in addressing the climate crisis. With its focus on short-term events and problems over solutions, it lacks the tools to address the global challenge effectively. Drawing on Pacific practices like interconnected time, space, and talanoa (collaborative dialogue), Dr. Ross offers insights into creating a more responsive and solutions-focused approach to climate journalism.

Dr Heather Hendrickson, President of the New Zealand Microbiological Society, explores bacteriophages, or phages—viruses that target bacteria—as a promising weapon against antibiotic resistance. With bacterial pathogens increasingly resistant and new antibiotics scarce, phages offer a natural solution. Dr Hendrickson explains how New Zealand is harnessing these "nature's ninjas" to protect honey bees and crops, and how this approach is paving the way for their use in human medicine, already saving lives globally.

Professor Chris Akroyd, Head of the Accounting and Information Systems Department at the University of Canterbury, explores how culture shapes the success of organizational strategy. While strategy sets the goals, culture determines how effectively they are achieved, with a strong culture fostering collaboration and resilience, and a toxic one undermining even the best plans. Dr. Akroyd explains why culture "eats strategy for breakfast."

Professor Ursula Cheer, a media law expert at the University of Canterbury, explores the essential role of professional journalism in democracy and how online communication and social media have disrupted traditional news models. As news outlets close and audiences shift to social media, issues of trust, truth, and the government's role in promoting public interest content come into focus. She examines these challenges and their impact on journalism today.

Dr. Clemency Montelle, Head of the School of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Canterbury, explores the intriguing question of whether numbers are real or simply inventions of the human mind. From everyday tasks to complex planning, numbers are essential, yet their nature sparks debate. Some argue numbers exist independently, like physical objects, while others see them as abstract tools, much like language. Dr. Montelle delves into this philosophical puzzle and examines how we can disagree on something so fundamental.

Dr. Ning (Chris) Chen, Associate Professor of Marketing at the University of Canterbury, explores how human connections to places shape societal issues, identities, and behaviors. He examines the role of environmental psychology in these relationships, explaining how storytelling influences culture and how support for local sports teams and mega-events like the Olympics can transform both places and their people.