A change of perspective alters not only our perception of others, but also our perception of ourselves

How do we perceive each other when we regard each other as strangers? This is one of the central themes identified by Cornelia Muschet in her literary analysis of Takua Ben Mohamed’s graphic novels. In her thesis, the doctoral candidate in Italian Studies came to a conciliatory conclusion: Ben Mohamed’s characters often accept prejudices about those from other cultures as fact, even though they do not exist. The author often sees herself as a stranger; she is perceived as different. Her work addresses topics such as questions of identity in clothing, the impact of images of others, stereotypes and prejudices in intercultural communication, and the concept of ‘othering’. In October 2024, Cornelia Muschet completed her doctoral thesis with an oral defence at the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice.

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Focus on the in-between: Conference on “Shifting the Lens. Perspectives on Literature, Media, and Culture” for Phd Students at the University of Klagenfurt

Under the title Shifting the Lens. Perspecitves on Literature, Media, and Culture, doctoral students at the University of Klagenfurt are inviting to an international conference on in-between spaces, translation processes and intermedial perspectives from 14 to 16 May.

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Compulsory education: “The discussion is not really about the young people but rather about other interests.”

In Austria, there is not only a training guarantee for minors, but also a training obligation: all young people must complete an apprenticeship, a training programme or similar measures after completing compulsory schooling if they do not attend secondary school. In his recently published postdoctoral thesis, Alban Knecht investigates the following questions: How does labour market policy support young people entering the labour market? And where does it tend to hinder them? He has analysed political discourses and institutional changes in the promotion of employment and labour market policy for disadvantaged young people in Austria.

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Women and men equally act as barometers for the future of their relationship

Researchers studying mixed-sex relationships have long believed that women have a more acute sense for shaping and predicting future relationship satisfaction. However, this assumption has never been subjected to thorough investigation. An international research team has now analysed the data gathered in two large studies and has reached the following conclusion: There is no difference between the sexes. In both men and women, current satisfaction has an equal influence on future relationship satisfaction.

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