IN3’s Communication Networks & Social Change (CNSC) research group is pleased to invite you to the seminar «Intergenerational Communication» —part of the II Cycle of Seminars on the Challenges of Aging: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Old Age (I)— given by Loredana Ivan, associate professor at the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration (Romania) and Leopoldina Fortunati senior professor of Communication and Culture in the Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics at the University of Udine (Italy).
The session, to be held virtually and in person on Tuesday, February 21 at 16:30 h (CET), will consist of two short presentations (10 min. each) by Prof. Loredana Ivan and Prof. Leopoldina Fortunati and a conversation between the speakers and the audience.
Venue
Online
Espanya
When
21/02/2023 16.30h
Organized by
Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, IN3's Communication Networks & Social Change (CNSC)
Program
Summary
Communicating what it means to be and become older (by Leopoldina Fortunati)
In contemporary societies, intergenerational contexts are increasingly infrequent. More and more older adults live alone and therefore develop little familiarity with their adult children and grandchildren. Thus, growing physical [A1] generational segregation becomes the lens through which to look at communication and sociality between the older generations and their younger counterparts. Communicating one's seniority, what it means to be and become older, for example, is increasingly difficult for older adults. However, reciprocal knowledge between children and older people is the basis of authentic social relationships. For older people, making children – especially adult children – aware of their changing living conditions is a profound communication process. It requires adult children to offer a level of continuity, physical presence and engagement that they often cannot for various reasons. While digital technologies may seem to be essential cross-generational bridges for ensuring frequent, even daily, contact, they may not be the ideal tools to help people share this important knowledge process.
The use of communication technologies in intergenerational contexts (by Loredana Ivan)
People use communication technologies in various intergenerational settings, ranging from family gatherings to work environments. In such contexts, both opportunities and challenges emerge. In light of this, we use data gathered from previous studies (Schiau, Ivan & Bira, 2018; Ivan, 2023, in press) to start a conversation about opportunities to expand people's repertoires and provide deeper insight into the way different generations integrate communication technologies in their lives. We also explore potential conflict situations (Ivan & Nimrod, 2021), instances in which conflicts could emerge and the role of communication technologies in conflict resolution.
Leopoldina Fortunati
Senior professor of Communication and Culture in the Department of Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics at the University of Udine, Italy. Fortunati has conducted several research projects in the field of gender and generational studies, cultural processes, and communication and information technologies. She has written or edited 21 books, published over 200 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters, and serves as a referee for many outstanding journals. A member of the Academia Europaea and an ICA fellow, she is also associate editor of The Information Society. She was an editor of the OUP series "Studies in Mobile Communication" along with Rich Ling and Gerard Goggin. Her contributions have been published in 11 languages.
Loredana Ivan
Associate Professor at the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, Communication Department, Bucharest, Romania. She has a PhD in Sociology and a post-doctorate in Social Psychology, and she is currently the chair of the European Network of Aging Studies (ENAS). Her areas of interest include: Interpersonal Communication mediated by Technology; Fake News & Generations; Family Communication. She has led some special issues in the area of ageing and communication technology (“Fighting Fake News: A Generational Approach“, Societies, 2021; “Ageing and Interpersonal Communication”, Societies, 2020; “Ageing and Digital Communication”, ESSACHESS - Journal for Communication Studies. She is the author and co-author of several book chapters that draw on ageism and digital communication later in life.