Re-imagining the Good Life: A Pluriversal Perspective on Community Well-being in Australia
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In a world grappling with profound socio-economic and ecological challenges, a growing movement of grassroots, civil society, and policy-advocacy activists and think tanks has pushed for significant reform beyond the current economic growth mania. By emphasizing the centrality of well-being and quality of life, they seek to redefine our relationship with the economy and ecology. However, the critical question remains: What do we really mean by quality of life and well-being?
Join Dr S A Hamed Hosseini, author of The Well-living Paradigm paper, from the School of Humanities, Creative Industries, and Social Sciences at The University of Newcastle, for a compelling presentation during Social Science Week. This webinar, co-hosted with Dr Michelle Maloney, director of New Economy Network Australia (NENA), our honoured project partner, will explore the innovative 2021-2024 research project aimed at rethinking community well-being and quality of life from a pluriversal perspective.
The presentation will examine diverse, progressive perceptions of the ‘good life’ held by the sampled Australian progressive initiatives. Discovered through factor analysis of nationwide survey responses, these include ‘post-humanist’ (emphasizing strong connections to nature and a better understanding of the more-than-human living world), ‘counter-utilitarian’ (moving beyond individual satisfaction, use-value, and pleasure), ‘counter-economistic’ (negating the superiority of economic growth and competitiveness), ‘autonomist’ (valuing community control, self-determination, and political representation), and ‘communal’ (promoting community solidarity and shared responsibilities).
The webinar will explore how the initiatives’ organizational features, such as their goals, strategies, and underpinning ideologies, correspond to their perceptions of quality of life. Dr. Hosseini will highlight key findings from the statistical analysis, demonstrating how these initiatives envision new frameworks for well-being and societal transformation.
This presentation promises to inspire and inform, offering valuable perspectives for policy advocacy, public discourse, and future research. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with pioneering ideas that challenge the status quo and envision a better future for all.
Research team:
- A. Hamed Hosseini, PhD, Chief Investigator, scholar in transformative global studies, Senior Lecturer, School of Humanities, Creative Industries and Social Sciences, University of Newcastle (UON, HCISS). Penny Buykx, PhD, scholar in Behavioural Studies, Associate Professor, UON, HCISS. Daniela Heil, PhD, scholar in Social Anthropology of Indigenous Well-being, Associate Professor, UON, HCISS. Chris Krogh, PhD, scholar in Human Services and Community Welfare Studies, Lecturer, UON, HCISS. Michelle Maloney, PhD, scholar in Law Studies, Director of New Economy Network Australia (NENA), Community Partner in the “Reimagining Quality of Life” Project and Community Partner of AFRHub.
