Dong-A University Gender and Affect Research Institute, 5th Online International Conference

December 12-13: "Technology of Connected Somatics" Theme

Researchers from Korea, Taiwan, and Japan Participating via ZOOM

The Gender·Affect Research Institute at Dong-A University (Director Kwon Myung-ah) will hold the "5th International Academic Conference" over two days on the 12th and 13th via the online video conferencing platform Zoom.

The theme of this conference, solely hosted by the institute, is "Technologies of Connected Somatics."

This conference focuses on new tools and data related to changing modes of sensation, emotions, and actions influenced by technology. In particular, it is planned to consider specific social norms about the self and others operating through these technologies, the dynamics of inclusion and exclusion, and bodily forms.

The first day of the conference will be held under the theme "Technology, Mediology, Assemblage."

On the first day, the 12th, topics such as "Radio Communities and the Affect of Waves? Focusing on the Opening Poem of KBS Classic FM's 'Kim Misook's Home Music' (Kim Nahyun, Yongin University)," "Connected Humans and the Construction of Reality, and Media Ethics (Choi Isuk, Dong-A University)," "The Representation of Female Deities in SF Novels (Kang Seongsuk, Inje University)," "Memory and Affect of Posthuman in the Film After Yang (Lee Jihaeng, Dong-A University)," "Between Heritage and Ruins, The Affective Geography of O. J. Simpson and Bill Cosby (Kwon Doohyun, Dong-A University)," and "Cyborgs of Industrialization: Bodies of De-affection in 'Processing Factories' and 'Comfort Factories' (Chen Peizhen, National Chengchi University, Taiwan)" will be discussed.

On the following day, the 13th, presentations and discussions will continue under the theme "Information and Knowledge, Care and (De)affection Technologies."

Presentations include "Issues of Connection and Dependence in Japanese Care Novels: Through Ecstatic Person (1972) and Swearing (2022) (Lee Jihyun, Dong-A University)," "Smart Diapers and Dementia Care: The (Im)possibility of Affective Connection through Technological Contact (Jung Jongmin, Chonnam National University)," "Globalization, Subtitles, and the (In)visibility of 'Curb Cut' (Lee Hwajin, Chosun University)," "Discourses on Innate and Acquired Causes of Juvenile Delinquency and Knowledge and Institutions Forming Antisociality: Focusing on Criminal Psychologists Sung Baekseon and Jang Byeongrim (Kim Daehyun, Yonsei University)," "Transformation of the Chinese and the Affective Politics of War Technologies: Information Warfare, Human Wave Tactics, and the Affective History of Replicated China (Kwon Myung-ah, Dong-A University)," and "Postcolonial Marxism and Affect: The Affect and Shame of C. L. R. James, George Lamming, and Mal Collins (Yoshida Yutaka, Japan Science and Technology Agency)" are prepared.

Following each presentation, discussions will be led by researchers including Kim Minji (Ewha Womans University), Lee Donghu (Incheon National University), Kim Minseon (Hanyang University), Kim Seona (Dongseo University), Park Yeonhee (Yonsei University), Bae Haeun (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology), Kim Taekyung (Kyung Hee University), Kim Gwanuk (Duksung Women's University), Yang Geunae (Myongji University), Ha Geumcheol (Academy of Korean Studies), Kim Taeyeon (University of Seoul), and Choi Seonghee (Pusan National University).

A representative from Dong-A University's Gender·Affect Research Institute stated, "Through this conference, which involves leading affect researchers from various fields, we hope to present gender·affect research not as a disciplinary case in the humanities and social sciences but as a new theory of life and a technology of connected somatics."

The institute combines research methods of affect and gender to attempt a paradigm shift in the humanities regarding subjects and bodies, life and death, illness, disability, minorities, and posthuman topics, while exploring and researching social and cultural agendas surrounding "connection" and "dependence."