Podcasts about international studies institute

Talking with British historian and folklorist Dr. Simon Young on the enduring presence of supernatural experiences in human life, with a focus on his folk lore project, the Fairy Census—a vast collection of contemporary fairy encounter accounts. We explore the shifting nature of fairy lore across time, the interplay between cultural perception and the supernatural, and the deeper psychological and sociological dimensions of these experiences.Young shares insights from his research, addressing theories of altered states, memory, and the collective unconscious while tackling criticisms of his work and methods. He discusses the history and revival of the Fairy Investigation Society, its eccentric origins in the early 20th century, and its modern role in documenting encounters that defy conventional understanding.The conversation extends to the broader role of folklore in human consciousness, the evolution of belief systems, and its relevance to human society.From fairies to the mechanisms of belief, from historical patterns to personal narratives, Dr Young provides a fascinating lens to understand myth and reality, exploring why stories of the otherworld persist—and what they reveal about us.Dr. Young is a Cambridge-educated historian based at the International Studies Institute in Florence.Excerpts:“In terms of human evolution, there seems to be a certain number of people who have very frequent supernatural experiences. Suppose that somewhere deep inside me, I have a conviction that the supernatural matters, that it's not an embarrassing part of Paleolithic society that sometimes somehow made it through to the present. It is something that to some extent to have healthy lives…What I mean by that is that supernatural experiences, I think, are just part of human programming and increasingly in a rational age, we've started to edit this out leave it to one side. It's become an embarrassment on many levels. I think the experience that people have has a real importance in their lives, and I think it also has real importance in our species…Individuals and society more generally have to be able to absorb and particularly in an age when religion is being rejected and ridiculed these more personal versions of spirituality I think become incredibly important…And I think it's useful to look and ask ourselves, well, what is this really for? What does it do?Timestamps* 02:23 - Exploring Fairy Lore and the Fairy CensusDr. Young describes his background in medieval history and his transition into folklore studies, particularly his fascination with fairy lore and the creation of the Fairy Census.* 04:32 - Transition from Medieval History to FolkloreHe explains how a serious illness in his 30s led him to reevaluate his academic focus, eventually leading him to folklore and supernatural studies.* 05:48 - Understanding Fairies Through TimeDr. Young discusses how the concept of fairies has evolved over centuries, influenced by cultural shifts, religious ideas, and artistic depictions.* 13:37 - Contemporary Views on FairiesDr. Young highlights modern perceptions of fairies, including the influence of Theosophy, Disney, and neo-pagan traditions in shaping current beliefs.* 20:57 - The Influence of Walter Evans WentzHe introduces Evans Wentz, an American folklorist who documented fairy encounters across Celtic regions but controversially attempted to prove their existence.* 30:23 - The Role of Supernatural Experiences in Human EvolutionDr. Young theorizes that supernatural experiences may have been an essential part of early human societies, with a small percentage of the population naturally predisposed to such encounters.* 35:36 - The Fairy Census: Goals and MethodologyHe explains the structure and purpose of the Fairy Census, aiming to collect 2,000 detailed accounts to analyze patterns in supernatural experiences.* 40:08 - Challenges and Criticisms of the Fairy CensusDr. Young acknowledges the self-selecting nature of his survey participants and discusses how this affects the objectivity and scientific validity of his data.* 48:01 - Memorable Accounts from the Fairy CensusHe shares standout stories from the Census, including a man who repeatedly submits his childhood fairy encounter, demonstrating how deeply these experiences remain ingrained in memory.* 55:42 - The Role of Supernatural Experiences in Modern LifeDr. Young reflects on the growing rejection of institutional religion and how personal supernatural encounters might fulfill a psychological or spiritual need in contemporary society.* 01:02:48 - Boggarts and Other Folkloric ResearchHe delves into his research on Boggarts, a distinct type of supernatural entity in northern English folklore, separate from traditional fairies.* 01:04:25 - Final Thoughts and Future DirectionDr. Young expresses his belief that supernatural experiences are a meaningful part of human culture and invites listeners to contribute their own encounters to the Fairy Census.LinksDr Simon Academia Site / Fairy Census SubmissionBoggart and Banshee PodcastBooksNote: Illustration above from Oberon, Titania and Puck with Fairies Dancing circa 1786 William Blake 1757-1827 Presented by Alfred A. de Pass in memory of his wife Ethel 1910 Source Get full access to Leafbox at leafbox.substack.com/subscribe

Opening session - Riding waves of change Part 3 Play the Game 2017, 26 November 2017, 14.00-18.00 Chair: James Corbett, James M. Dorsey, Academic, Journalist, Syndicated Columnist, Blogger, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies / Institute of Fan Culture / The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer, Singapore/ Germany/Morocco James Corbett, Journalist, Ireland Hassan Al Thawadi, Secretary General, Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, Qatar Q&A with Hassan Al Thawadi Play the Game 2017 operated under the subtitle "Riding waves of change" and gathered around 450 journalists, scientists and sport officials on the 26-30th of November 2017 in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Play the Game is an international conference and communication initiative aiming to strengthen the ethical foundation of sport and promote democracy, transparency and freedom of expression in sport. Play the Game is run by the Danish Institute for Sports Studies (Idan), an independent institution set up by the Danish Ministry of Culture. The task of Idan is to create overview over and insight into the field of sport nationally and internationally. http://www.playthegame.org

Play the Game 2015 FIFA's confederations: At the heart of football's challenges Main Session Tuesday 27 October 2015, 20:00-21:45 Chair: James Corbett Speakers: Aderonke Bello, Journalist, Naij.com (NG) James M. Dorsey, Academic, Journalist, Syndicated Columnist, Blogger /Co-director, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies/ Institute of Fan Culture, University of Wuerzburg (SG) Ezequiel Fernandez Moores, Journalist, La Nación (AR) Jochen Leufgens & Robert Kempe, Coordinator Sport and Politics & Freelance Journalist, ARD German TV (GER) Play the Game 2015 operated under the subtitle "global sport: reform or revolution" and gathered around 350 journalists, scientists and sport officials on the 25-29th of October in Play the Game's home town of Aarhus, Denmark. Play the Game is an international conference and communication initiative aiming to strengthen the ethical foundation of sport and promote democracy, transparency and freedom of expression in sport. It is run by the Danish Institute for Sports Studies (Idan), an independent institution set up by the Danish Ministry of Culture. The task of Idan is to create overview over and insight into the field of sport nationally and internationally. http://www.playthegame.org

Play the Game 2013. ICSSPE partner session: Managing conflicting agendas: profit, participation or performance? Thursday 31 October 2013, 11:30-13:00 Chair: Margeret Talbot (UK) Speakers: Part 1: Koen Breedveld, Director, Mulier Institute (NL) Karen Petry, Researcher, German Sport University Cologne (GER) James M. Dorsey, Academic, journalist, syndicated columnist, blogger, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies / Institute of Fan Culture / The Turbulant World of Middle East Soccer (SGP/GER/MAR) Part 2: James M. Dorsey, Academic, journalist, syndicated columnist, blogger, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies / Institute of Fan Culture / The Turbulant World of Middle East Soccer (SGP/GER/MAR) Ben Weinberg, Manager Services, International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE) (GER) Margaret Talbot, Professor, President, International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE) (UK) Panel discussion Q&A

Play the Game 2013. Plenary session: Global outlook: Who holds the keys to the future of sport? Thursday 31 October 2013, 16:00-18:30 Chairs: Henrik H. Brandt (DEN), Mogens Kirkeby (DEN) Speakers: Jens Weinreich, Journalist and blogger, www.jensweinreich.de (GER). James M. Dorsey, Journalist, columnist and blogger, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies / Institute of Fan Culture / The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer (SNG/GER/MAR). Margaret Talbot, Professor, President,International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (UK). Niels Nygaard, President, National Olympic Committee and Sports Confederation of Denmark (DIF) (DEN). Panel discussion, Q&A

Play the Game 2013. ICSSPE partner session: Managing conflicting agendas 2013 profit, participation or performance? Thursday 31 October 2013, 11:30-13:00 Chair: Margeret Talbot (UK) Speakers: Koen Breedveld, Director, Mulier Institute (NL) Karen Petry, Researcher, German Sport University Cologne (GER) James M. Dorsey, Academic, journalist, syndicated columnist, blogger, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies / Institute of Fan Culture / The Turbulant World of Middle East Soccer (SGP/GER/MAR) Ben Weinberg, Manager Services, International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE) (GER) Margaret Talbot, Professor, President, International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE) (UK) Panel discussion Q&A

Anthony Smallwood, counselor and head of press and public diplomacy of the Delegation of the European Commission to the U.S.A., presents a lecture sponsored by UNM’s International Studies Institute. The commission is the executive arm of the European Union, and Smallwood has worked for its Directorate General for External Relations (RELEX) since 1995. He previously acted as head of delegation, a role similar to ambassador, of the European Union in Trinidad and Tobago and administrator of European Union relations with Egypt.

Erik Gerding, assistant professor, UNM School of Law, discusses how mortgage investments work and how that process led to the subprime mortgage crisis. Part of Global Instability: Causes, Consequences, and Cures, a lecture series organized by UNM’s International Studies Institute.

Mark Peceny, professor and chair, UNM Department of Political Science, discusses how the war in Iraq has shaped United States national elections and vice versa, particularly focusing on the 2006 congressional elections and 2008 presidential election. Part of Global Instability: Causes, Consequences, and Cures, a lecture series organized by UNM’s International Studies Institute.

Economist Loretta Napoleoni gives the keynote address of “Global Instability: Causes, Consequences, and Cures,” a lecture series organized by UNM’s International Studies Institute. Napoleoni is a senior partner of G Risk, a London-based risk agency. She is the author of “Rogue Economics: Capitalism’s New Reality,” “Terror Incorporated” and “Insurgent Iraq.” She is an expert on the financing of terrorism and advises several governments on counter-terrorism.

UNM experts discuss the current financial crisis, including the potential impact of the $700 billion bailout. The panel, sponsored by the International Studies Institute, features Donald Coes, professor of economics; Scott Findley, assistant professor of economics; Matias Fontenla, assistant professor of economics; Allen Parkman, regents professor emeritus, Anderson School of Management; Jason Smith, assistant professor of history; and Christine Sauer, ISI director.