Navigating narratives of crisis and hope

Abstract

Between utopian visions of Earthly paradises and dystopian views of authoritarian post-apocalypses, cultural narratives of the future can oftentimes leave us torn between hoping for the best and fearing the worst. Meanwhile, recent global events have been evocative of our worst nightmares: a widespread pandemic; climate disaster; the uncovering of unmarked graves of Indigenous children; as well as, conflict in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The magnitude of these situations has necessitated rapid response across institutions, at all levels; so too is it important to account for the localised, human dimensions of adapting and rebuilding amidst times of unexpected change. Through a reflective group process, in this workshop, we will dive into the social complexities of some of the most controversial scenarios with which we have been contending, as a global community, acknowledging the range of experiences and impacts that can arise across diverse populations.