Conference Program – Center for Advanced Studies in Symbolic Interactionism and Grounded Theory

IDENTITIES, BOUNDARIES AND SOCIAL DIVISIONS. RECONCILING COMPETING FRAMES

June 5th-7th, 2024 – University of Pisa, Italy

Final Program

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June, 5th
8:30	Registration Desk
9:30	Plenary Session: Conference Introduction and Welcome
	Institutional Welcomes
10:00	Introductory Panel: Identities, Boundaries and Social Divisions
Aula A	The Limits of Knowledge and Real Boundaries. Sociological Dilemmas and Perspectives Paolo De Nardis, Emeritus Professor, Sapienza University of Rome The Classical Roots of Peace Sociology: The Contribution of Jane Addams and Symbolic Interactionism Vessela Misheva, Uppsala University Population Mobility and the Everyday Dynamics of Frontier Medicine Joseph A. Kotarba, Texas State University Chair: Irene Psaroudakis, University of Pisa
11:15	Coffee Break
11:45	Parallel Sessions I
Aula A	Advances in Methodological Theory and Practice 1 Chair Viðar Halldórsson	– From Little Things, Big Things Grow: Building a Grounded Theory Research Community of Practice – Wendy De Luca, Yazdan Mansourian, Charles Sturt University, Australia – The Validity of Photographs as Analytical Data – Viðar Halldórsson, University of Iceland – Becoming a Grounded Theory User – Gerben Moerman, University of Amsterdam – Pushing the Boundary Too Far: Some Thoughts on Autoethnography – Stefania Tusini, University for Foreigners of Perugia
Aula B	Theorizing in Symbolic Interactionism Chair Dirk vom Lehn	– “Quiet Sustainability”: How to Introduce the External Categories in Social Theorizing – Anna Kacperczyk, University of Lodz – The Hobbesian Problem of Order from a Symbolic Interactionist Perspective – Vessela Misheva, Uppsala University – On the Production of Common Sense and the Reproduction of the Social Order – Matteo Puoti, Sapienza University of Rome – Experimenting with Sociology. New Iowa School and Ethnomethodology’s Breaching Procedures as Alternative Sociologies – Dirk vom Lehn, King’s College London
Aula C	Migrations Processes and Integration Dynamics Chair Andrea Laurent-Simpson	– Usera Between Urban Transformations, Borders, and Multiculturalism – Costanza Gasparo, University of Florence – “200 Million People in The U.S. and You Had To Import Someone?”: Stigmatization of Intercultural Relationships On 90-Day Fiancé – Beth Montemurro, Andrea Laurent-Simpson, Penn State University, Abington, USA; Southern Methodist University, USA – Collective Narratives and Meta-Stories: How Iranian Immigrant Groups Emerge and Function in the Atlantic Canadian Cities? – Foroogh Mohammadi, Acadia University
13:15	Light Lunch
14:30	Parallel Sessions II
Aula A	The Social Construction of Media Chair Nicholas Baxter	– SI and Environmental Sociology: The Role of Symbolic Interaction in Theorizing the Human-Environment Relationship – Nicholas Baxter, Indiana University Kokomo – The Construction, Maintenance, Weaponization, and Defence of Migrant Identities on Social Media – Luke Roach, Bath Spa University – Home, Boundaries and Privacy: A Comparative Study of The Representation of Privacy and Home in The Pre- and Post-Revolutionary Iranian Cinema – Pouya Morshedi, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador – Designers’ Social Media Experiences during Cloud Transformation – Julija Naskova, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Design
Aula B	Combining Methods Chair Andrea Salvini	– The Dark Path of German Terrorist Fighters. Radicalization Processes, Social Network and Jihadist Preachers as Important Key Players – Kristin Weber, Center for Criminological Research Saxony – (Co-)Creating Meanings of Experiencing the Social Researcher’s Profession in a Contemplative Interview – Hanna Kroczak, University of Lodz
Aula C	Artificial Intelligence and Human-Machine Communication Chair Patrick Williams	– Automating Interaction Order? Continuity and Change – William Housley, Cardiff University School of Social Sciences – Mundane AI intelligibility: ‘Lay’ Explanations of the Social Implications of Automated Systems – Patricia Jimenez, Paderborn University, Germany – Social Magic and Its Decadence. How Technological Rationalization Is Undermining Human Communities – Viðar Halldórsson, University of Iceland
16:00	Coffee break
16:30	Parallel Sessions III
Aula A	Gender and Identity Work Chair Irene Psaroudakis	– The Moral Order in Gender Issues. What Role Do Male Issues Play? – Alessandro Vetrano, Sapienza University of Rome – Sex Education at School: The Italian Case – Ramona Cavalli, University of Verona – Knowing My Name: Experiencing Names and Surnames in the Gender Transition Process in Poland: An Analysis of In-Depth Interviews – Aleksandra Płaczek, University of Lodz, Poland – The Biopolitics of Weight and Disordered Eating – Alison Fixsen, University of Westminster
Aula B	New Forms of Communities Chair Thaddeus Müller	– Buurland (Neighbour Land): Community as a Form of Transgression – Thaddeus Müller, Lancaster University Law School – The Brotherhood: Promoting Social Support through Group Identity – Brandon A. Jackson, John Jay College, The City University of New York – Micro-Solidarity in Superdiverse Neighborhoods – Richard Cimino, Hans Tokke, University of New York
Aula C	New Theories of Interaction Chair Silvia Pezzoli	– Cracks in the Interaction: The Unfolding of Social Life Dynamicity – Selene Greco, Sapienza University of Rome – Power, Domination, and Deformed Interaction – Andrew Blasko, The Bulgarian Academy of Sciences – P.O.V. on the Contested Identity Between Generalised Others. The Construction of Identity between School and Digital Media – Silvia Pezzoli, Carlotta Bizzarri, University of Florence

June, 6th
9:30	Parallel Sessions IV
Aula A	Author Meets Critics: "Goffman and the Cold War" Chair Dirk vom Lehn	Gary Jaworski – Author of the Book "Goffman and the Cold War" and winner of this year publication award by the ASA Section History of Sociology and Social Thought (HSST) Discussants: – Dirk vom Lehn, King’s College London – Greg Smith, University of Salford – Stacey Hannem, Wilfrid Laurier University – Chiara Bassetti, University of Trento
Aula B	Borders and Identity Construction Chair Brenda Fedi	– Identities, Boundaries and Land: Bridging Symbolic Interactionism with a Conflict Resolution Perspective – Valentina Bartolucci, University of Pisa – Cultural Practices in Border Areas: The Case of Gorizia – Monica Pascoli, University of Udine – Transformative Journeys: Chinese Students’ Experiences in Sino-Foreign Joint-Venture Universities – Marius Wamsiedel, Duke Kunshan University – Monkeying Around: Animals, Borders and Nation – Jon Ablitt, Cardiff University
Aula C	Advances in Methodological Theory and Practice 2 Chair Alison Fixsen	– Empathic Revelations: Shining a Light on Mental Illness Through Autoethnography – Alison Fixsen, University of Westminster – Symbolic Interactionist Duoethnography: An Exploration of the Borders Between Military and Civilian Life for Military-Civilian Couples – Jennifer K. Gardner, Cubby L. Gardner, American College of Education, Indianapolis, IN; University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD – Grounded Theory and Symbolic Interactionism: An Encounter – Irene Psaroudakis, University of Pisa
11:00	Coffee Break
11:30	Parallel Sessions V
Aula A	People on the Move Chair Martin Harbusch	– Borders of Knowledge: Thoughts on Traveling Concepts for Ethnography – Martin Harbusch, University of Siegen – Fixed or on the Move? Identities and Reputation of Migrants and Their Groups – Davide Donatiello, University of Turin – Purposeful Escapism: Reexamining the “Tourist Gaze” – Amanda Koontz, Ray Eddy, University of Central Florida – One Border, But Two Polands? Examining Polish Media Discourse on The Humanitarian Crisis at The Polish-Belarusian Border: A Qualitative Analysis – Natalia Ożegalska-Łukasik, Jagiellonian University
Aula B	Prison and Total Institutions Chair Charlie Barnao	– No Bars, No Boundaries? Media as Home in the Prison Experience – Aaron Bielejewski, Center for Criminological Research Saxony – The Boundaries of Time: Meanings and Perceptions of the Temporal Dimension in the Words of Drug-Addicted Mothers – Paola Di Carlo, University of Siena – Autoethnography Behind the Bars: Culture and Self-Therapy in a Maximum Security Prison – Charlie Barnao, University of Catanzaro
Aula C	Music in the Air Chair Jeffrey van den Scott	– Howard Becker, Charles Seeger, and the Promise to Ethnomusicology – Jeffrey van den Scott, Memorial University of Newfoundland – Performing Protection: Chivalry, Vulnerability, and Gender in Heavy Metal Music Scenes – Stacey Hannem, Christopher J. Schneider, Wilfrid Laurier University (Canada), Brandon University (Canada) – Power of sound, power of authenticity. Radio reportage creation as interactive storytelling – Rafał Wiśniewski, Izabela Bukalska, Grażyna Pol, Magda Ostrowska, University in Warsaw – Gospel Choir as Group Life. Evidence from Italian Experiences – Andrea Salvini, University of Pisa
13:00	Light Lunch
14:00	Parallel Sessions VI
Aula A	Revisiting Central Concepts in Symbolic Interactionism Chair Natalia Ruiz-Junco	– Inverting Mead’s Theory of Socialization: How Parents Decodify Their Children’s Symbolic Conduct – Vincenzo Romania, University of Padua – Is There No Future? Planning in Times of Crises – Piotr Statucki, University of Lodz – Reifying Empathy: An Examination of an Interactionist Concept – Natalia Ruiz-Junco, Auburn University
Aula B	Social Media, Self, Society Chair Elena Salamino	– Dealing with Socio-Emotional Challenges Via Social Media: A Case Study Using Hermeneutic and Computational Methods to Study Social Action – J. Patrick Williams, Samuel Judah, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore – Anchoring the Self in the Vastness of Cyberspace: MBTI Subculture Among Chinese Social Media Users – Wu Si, J. Patrick Williams, Nanyang Technological University – Penelope’s Web 3.0. Old and New Inequalities in the Fashion of the Future – Michele Varini, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart – Rationalization of Work Process: Organizational Contexts and the Use of E-work – Xiaoli Tian, Sining Wang, University of Hong Kong
Aula C	Stigma in Contemporary Society Chair Eve Gardien	– Stigma as Contextured Phenomenon: Categorial Orientations to ‘Stigma’ in the Search for Help – Robin James Smith, Cardiff University – Marked Identities within Unmarked Work Practices: Revealing a Hierarchy of Disability in Singapore’s Employment Context – Kerri Heng Yi Ping, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore – Non-Intersubjective Experiences: The Limits of Inclusion in Ordinary Life – Eve Gardien, Rennes 2 University – Stigma and Exclusion in Addiction Recovery Trajectories – Max Dennehy, Thaddeus Müller, University of Lancaster
15:30	Coffee Break
16:00 Aula A	Plenary Session. Keynote Speech *Meaning-Making and Sense-Making: Distinctions, Delineations, and a Conceptual Model* Staci Newmahr, SUNY Buffalo State
17:30	SSSI Business Meeting – Aula A
20:00	Banquet – Ristorante “Il Quore”

June, 7th
9:30	Parallel Sessions VII
Aula B	Social Support and Social Work Chair Deana Simonetto	– Caregiving Narratives: Stories of Everyday Violence in the Home – Deana Simonetto, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus – Practices of Destigmatization. Social Work in Homeless Assistance – Saskia Amira Appel, University of Siegen – More than ‘Doing Death’ and ‘Doing Dying’? ‘Doing Mortality’ in Professional Practices of Social Work in Hospice Care Services – Lisa-Marie Gewalt, University of Siegen – Associations: Mirrors for People Living with Parkinson’s Disease – Lucia Landolfi, University of Salerno
Aula C	Senses and Emotions Chair Vincenzo Romania	– Shpilkes and Other Needles: The Sensory Experience of Professional Tattoo Spaces – William Ryan Force, California State University, Fresno – Sociology of the Senses: Researching Lived Experiences – Krzysztof T. Konecki, University of Lodz – The (Ir)Relevance of Subjective Discomfort. Interactionist Perspectives on the Borders Between the Intimate and the Public – Giuseppe Toscano, University of Catania – Shameful Digital Traces: How the Internet Transformed the Social Emotion of Shame. A case study – Vincenzo Romania, University of Padua – Senses and emotions as social phenomena – a sociological performance – Emma Engdahl, University of Gothenburg
11:00	Coffee Break
11:30	Parallel Sessions VIII
Aula A	Culture, Violence, War, and Democracy Chair Eric O. Silva	– Symbolic Interactionist Approaches to Cultural Conflict – Eric O. Silva, Georgia Southern University – Cultural Democracy Between Urban Borders and Peripheral Subjectivities – Giulia Crippa, University of Bologna – A Mirror of Society? The Alienation Between Police and People – Lisa Düerr, Antonio Vera, German Police University – Adult Self-Change from a Radical Interactionist Perspective – Lonnie Athens, Seton Hall University South Orange, New Jersey
Aula B	Social Construction of Health Chair Beata Pawlowska	– Making Ambiguity: How Diagnostic Categories Socially Organize Mothering Responsibility – Dan Liu, University of Hong Kong – Borders in Hospital Wards. The Job Relations of Medical Staff – Beata Pawlowska, University of Lodz
Aula C	Authenticity, Ethnicity, Identity Work Chair Patrick Williams	– The Workings of Authenticity: How and What Constitutes to ‘Be Authentic’? – Ramón Menéndez Domingo, UDIT – ‘I Am Not a Conspiracy Theorist’: Relational Identifications in the Dutch Conspiracy Milieu – Jaron Harambam, University of Amsterdam – The Crucible of Identity: The Precarity of National Identity in Southeast Asia – Mohamed Haikel Fansuri Bin Mohamed Latiff, Forward College Berlin
13:15	Farewell speech – Aula A
13:30	Light lunch