Conference 2021 Keynotes

When Good Conspiracy Theories Go Bad
Andrew Gibbons, School of Education, Auckland University of Technology

Key notes of conspiracy theories ring out across the lands, lending a feel to the pandemic. Theories about conspiracy theories challenge the discordant tendencies of conspiracy theorists, searching for the appearances of conditions that seem ideal for the amplification and resonance of thoughts about conspiracies. This PESA 2021 Covid-19 themed keynote works with feelings about conspiracy theory: wondering why it might be important to consider the educational contribution of conspiracy theories; avoiding a narrow pejorative understanding of their appearance, function and influence; and thinking openly about what conspiracy theories have and will continue to offer for philosophical questions concerning education. 

andrew g  Bio: Andrew is an early childhood teacher, teacher educator and Professor at the School of Education, Auckland University of Technology.

 

Covid Feels Familiar
Dr Melitta Hogarth, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne

COVID19 feels familiar. We as Indigenous peoples have seen and known this nemesis before. We have seen and known; we have felt and been subjected to; disease brought to our countries via boats. The irony of the current experience is not lost on us. It is an extension of the act of colonizing and has a significant impact, effect and affect on our bodies, minds and general wellbeing. In this keynote, we will explore Australia’s response in consideration to Indigenous peoples and COVID using media discourses to examine said familiarity and colonization.

Melitta Hogarth  Bio: Melitta Hogarth is a Kamilaroi woman and is the Assistant Dean (Indigenous) and Senior Research Fellow in the Melbourne Graduate School of Education. Prior to entering academia, Melitta taught for almost 20 years in all three sectors of the Queensland education system specifically in Secondary education. Melitta’s interests are in education, equity and social justice. Her PhD titled “Addressing the rights of Indigenous peoples in education: A critical analysis of Indigenous education policy” was awarded both the QUT and Faculty of Education Outstanding Thesis Awards and was awarded the Ray Debus Award for Doctoral Research.