Sustainability Matters

In honour of Pride Month, on this episode of Sustainability Matters, we explore the politics, practice, and perceptions of gender-fair language. Is it the same as gender-neutral language, or something more expansive? How do linguistic reforms for inclusivity play out across the evolution of a language? And what motivates scholars to adopt—or reject—more inclusive forms of writing? All this and more with Dr. Christine Ivanov and Dr. Maria B. Lange, authors of the chapter “Motivations for the Use of Gender-Fair Language in Research Literature in German Academia” [https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783111202280-006/html] from the book Public Attitudes Towards Gender-Inclusive Language [https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783111202280/html], published by De Gruyter Brill. Host: Ramzi Nasir [https://x.com/ramzinasir] Guests:  Dr. Christine Ivanov [https://www.sprachbewusst.de/] (Ln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-ivanov-77518a2b2/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-ivanov-77518a2b2/]) Dr. Maria B. Lange [http://www.swiftlinguistik.de/] (Ln: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-maria-b-lange-b2b35b2b1/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-maria-b-lange-b2b35b2b1/]) If you’re interested in delving further into gender-inclusive language in academia, here’s a reading list curated by the guests: 1. https://doi.org/10.1080/0163853X.2023.2199531 [https://doi.org/10.1080/0163853X.2023.2199531]. 2. https://doi.org/10.32872/spb.13719 [https://doi.org/10.32872/spb.13719] 3. https://doi.org/10.1080/01690960701702035 4. https://link.springer.com/article/10.3758/s13428-013-0409-z  5. http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01437 [http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01437] 6. https://doi.org/10.3758/BRM.40.1.206 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00369 [https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00369] 8. https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2015.1067611 [https://doi.org/10.1080/1359432X.2015.1067611] 9. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0261927X01020004004 10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-023-01411-8 [https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-023-01411-8]

In this first half of a special double episode on Sustainability Matters, we unpack how generative AI is challenging traditional ideas of writing, learning, and originality. Are large language models truly that revolutionary, or just glorified predictive text tools? How are universities responding to this shift? And—perhaps most importantly—where does morality come into the equation? All this and more with Dr. Naomi S. Baron, author of the chapter, "AI and Human Writing: Collaboration or Appropriation? [https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110792270-008/html]" which is part of The De Gruyter Handbook of Robots in Society and Culture [https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783110792270/html] published by De Gruyter Brill. Host: Ramzi Nasir [https://twitter.com/ramzinasir] Guest: Dr. Naomi S. Baron [https://www.american.edu/cas/faculty/nbaron.cfm]

In this episode of Sustainability Matters, we get into the numbers behind scholarly publishing. We unpack why publishing consumption patterns vary so widely across countries, how data can inform efforts around diversity, equity, and inclusion, and how it supports progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Finally, we explore the evolving role of artificial intelligence in shaping the future of data and sustainability in publishing. All this and more with Dr. Michiel Kolman and Rachel Martin, authors of the article “What Can Data Tell Us about Publishing? How data can potentially drive progress in sustainability” [https://brill.com/view/journals/logo/33/4/article-p12_3.xml?language=en] published in the Brill journal Logos. [https://brill.com/view/journals/logo/logo-overview.xml] Host: Ramzi Nasir [https://x.com/ramzinasir] Guests: Dr. Michiel Kolman [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michiel-kolman-%F0%9F%8F%B3%EF%B8%8F%E2%80%8D%F0%9F%8C%88-5a4a70/] and Rachel Martin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelrcmartin/]

In this episode of Sustainability Matters, we explore what responsible research and innovation (RRI) means. How can science move beyond disciplinary siloes to embrace transdisciplinarity? What does it mean to conduct research that is truly socially responsible?  And is the commitment to sustainable research declining? All this and more with Dr. Siri Granum Carson and Dr. Matthias Kaiser, authors of the concluding chapter “A sea change in science and technology ecologies? Prospects of socially responsible research and innovation towards 2030” [https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9783111397719-012/html] from the book The Fragility of Responsibility, published by De Gruyter Brill. Liked this podcast? Have thoughts on the topic? Want us to address a specific theme in the future? Write to us at podcast@brill.com. Host: Ramzi Nasir [https://x.com/ramzinasir] Guests: Dr. Siri Granum Carson [https://www.ntnu.edu/employees/sirigr] and Dr. Matthias Kaiser [https://www4.uib.no/en/find-employees/Carl.Walter.Matthias.Kaiser ]

On the first episode of Sustainability Matters (formerly Humanities Matter), we explore the complexities of diversity and inclusion in higher education. Do the frameworks in US universities today advance equity, or merely mask deeper systemic issues? How can academia move beyond optics to genuine transformation? And what does diversity and justice in higher education truly look like? All this and more with Dr. Nimisha Barton, author of “Diversity Practitioners and Institutional Whiteness”, [https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9781501775420-006/html?srsltid=AfmBOoozzKP6P3ikGy3YRsmC2z_bqbUTnqU8nQHZFddk714zona0Ufee]a chapter in her book A Just Future, published by Cornell University Press—a partner of De Gruyter Brill. Liked this podcast? Have thoughts on the topic? Want us to address a specific theme in the future? Write to us at podcast@brill.com. Host: Ramzi Nasir [https://x.com/ramzinasir]  Guest: Dr. Nimisha Barton [https://www.drnimishabarton.com/]