Agency review article proof-read

A couple of weeks ago I proof-read my review article for Biosemiotics "The biosemiotic glossary project: Agent, agency".

Book review for sociology journal proof-read (again)

Roughly a couple of weeks ago I proof-read (for the second time) my forthcoming book review for Sosiology idag on Rune Ellefsen´s book Med rett til å pine.

Feedback on bachelor thesis outlines given to 10 more students, 34 in total

Today I have given feedback to 10 more students at University of Stavanger´s Department of social studies on their outlines of project description for bachelor thesis in child welfare (half an hour each). In total I have given feedback to 34 students this week - today´s supervision concludes this work.

Two explanations of grading (UiA)

Yesterday I wrote two explanations of grading related to the course Examen Philosophicum at University of Agder´s Department of religion, history and philosophy (course code EX100).

Three explanations of grading (UiS)

Yesterday I wrote three explanations of grading related to the course Examen Philosophicum at University of Stavanger´s Department of social studies (course code SVEXPHIL10).

Feedback on bachelor thesis outlines given to another 12 students

Yesterday I gave feedback to another 12 students (half an hour each) at University of Stavanger´s Department of social studies on their outlines of project description for bachelor thesis in child welfare. 24 supervised so far.

Peer review on session proposals for NASS IX conducted

A week ago or so I conducted peer review of six session proposals for the upcoming 9th conference of the Nordic Association for Semiotic Studies (NASS IX), for which I am a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee.

Feedback on bachelor thesis project drafts given to 12 students

Today I have given 12 students at University of Stavanger´s Department of social studies feedback on their drafts of project description for bachelor thesis in child welfare (half an hour each).

"Existential universals" chapter still forthcoming

My book chapter "Existential universals: biosemiosis and existential semiosis" has been forthcoming in Eero Tarasti´s (et al.) (Eds), Transending Signs (Paris: Muyton de Gruton) since 2010 at least. And it still is.

Supervisor seminar chaired; appointed member of research ethics reference group

Today I chaired a supervisor seminar (2 hours) at University of Stavanger´s Department of Social Studies, in relation to the bachelor thesis in child welfare and social work respectively. I was appointed member of a 3-person reference group in research ethics. Some 20 faculty attended the seminar.

Final program of MAC3

Here is a link to the final programme of the recently held Minding Animals Conference 3 (Delhi, India, January 13-20th).

Reassessment of three exam papers

Today I have participated in reassessment of three exam papers in Examen Philosophicum at University of Stavanger´s Department of social studies, with Espen Gamlund.

The Semiotics of Animal Representations on display at MAC3 in Delhi

The Semiotics of Animal Representations (Rodopi 2014, eds. Kari Tüür and myself) was on display at Minding Animals Conference 3 (Delhi, India, January 13-20th), at the booth of the organiser Wildlife Trust of India, along with discount flyers prepared for the occasion of the conference.

Chapter with Paul Thibault renamed "Human Perceptions of Animals: A Multi-Modal Interaction Analysis of Interview Data"

My chapter co-written with Paul Thibault for the collective monograph Semiotic Methods in the Study of Human-Animal Interactions, which is to be published by Tartu University Press in Spring 2016, has been renamed "Human Perceptions of Animals: A Multimodal Interaction Analysis of Interview Data" (it was previously titled "Use of Conversation Analysis in the Study of Human-Animal Interactions").

"The Biosemiotic Glossary Project: Agent, agency" published online; reference

My review article "The Biosemiotic Glossary Project: Agent, agency", the first in the Biosemiotic Glossary Project, was published online in Biosemiotics on January 21st. 

Reference:

Tønnessen, Morten (2015). The Biosemiotic Glossary Project: Agent, agency. Biosemiotics 8(1). Published online January 21st 2015 (doi: 10.1007/s12304-015-9229-0), with Appendix (Supplementary Material available online).

Talk "What is animal agency?" given at MAC3 (JNU, Delhi)

On Thursday 15th of January I presented my paper "What is animal agency?" at Minding Animals Conference 3, in Delhi, India. The presentation was part of the session "Thinking about animals", moderated by Jeff Sebo. Some 50-60 people were present.

Talk on mentions of animals in political party programs given in Delhi

Today I presented "Mentions of animals in Norwegian political party programs" at Minding Animals Conference 3, in Delhi, India. The presentation was given in the session "Animal law and public policy", moderated by Jagdish Kishwan. Some 15 people were present.

MAI board meeting attended; reappointed Europe and Africa Convenor, appointed Tool Kit Editor

Today I attended the board meeting of Minding Animals International (as a non-voting ex-oficio member), which took place at United Service Institution in Delhi, India. In addition to being the Chair of Minding Animals Norway, I am the Minding Animals International Europe and Africa National Groups Convener. 

At the meeting I was reappointed in the latter role, and appointed Minding Animals Tool Kit Editor. The MA Tool Kit, previously work titled "Activist Kit", will appear as a subpage under the webpage of Minding Animals International.

Chapter "Agency in biosemiotics and enactivism" finished

Yesterday I finished my chapter "Agency in biosemiotics and enactivism" (ca. 5.500 words). It has been submitted to a book project with Jordan Zlatev, Göran Sonesson and Piotr Konderak as editors, entitled Establishing Cognitive Semiotics, to be published by Peter Lang.

Exam questions for BSNEXP composed

Today I composed exam questions for Examen Philosophicum (course code BSNEXP) in the web-based bachelor in nursing at University of Stavanger´s Department of health studies. This Spring´s exam is an extraordinary exam.

Bachelor thesis guidelines revised

Recently I have finished revising the guidelines for writing bachelor thesis in child welfare at University of Stavanger´s Department of social studies - 7 pp.

Introduction to Brentari´s Uexküll book proof-read; reference

I have recently proof-read my introduction chapter to Carlo Brentari´s forthcoming book Jakob von Uexküll: The Discovery of the Umwelt - Between Biosemiotics and Theoretical Biology". 

Reference:

Tønnessen, Morten 2015. Introduction: The relevance of Uexküll's Umwelt theory today. In Carlo Brentari, Jakob von Uexküll. The discovery of the Umwelt – between biosemiotics and theoretical biology (Biosemiotics 9). Springer, 1–20.

Interfaith service at Lotus temple, icebreaker dinner at JNU Convention Centre attended

Today I have attended the pre-inaugural interfaith service in relation to the Minding Animals Conference 3 (14-20 January 2015), in Delhi, India. The interfaith service took place at the Bahá´í Lotus temple.

I have also attended the conference icebreaker dinner at Jawaharlal Nehru University Convention Centre.

Brentari´s Uexküll book: Philosophy link and product flyer

Carlo Brentari´s forthcoming book The Discovery of the Umwelt: Jakob von Uexküll Between Biosemiotics and Theoretical Biology (see previous post) is also described on Springer´s pages for epistemology and philosophy of science - see here. A product flyer is available here.

I am mentioned both places, as the author of the introductory chapter, "Introduction: The relevance of Uexküll´s Umwelt theory today".

Brentari´s "The Discovery of the Umwelt" due March 14th

Carlo Brentari´s forthcoming monograph The Discovery of the Umwelt - Jakob von Uexküll Between Biosemiotics and Theoretical Biology, is due for publication March 14th, according to the publisher, Springer. The book is the 9th in the Biosemiotics book series. I have written the introductory chapter, entitled "Introduction: The relevance of Uexküll´s Umwelt theory today".

Pilot study rescheduled

The pilot study (see previous posts) which is to be conducted in relation to field work in the research project "Animals in changing environments: Cultural mediation and semiotic analysis", specifically as part of the case study “Representations (both Problematic and Romanticizing) of Large Mammals, especially Wolves”, has been rescheduled from January 9th to February 10th. The pilot study will take place at University of Agder.

The reason for the delay is first of all that we have not received a reply from Personvernombudet for forskning [the privacy ombudsman for research] in time - though we now know a reply letter is on its way. We applied some 30 days ago.

Former prorector criticises UiS research profile, cites my chronicle

In a chronicle published in the regional daily newspaper Stavanger Aftenblad today, entitled "Universitet og oljemarked" [University and oil market], Øyvind Foss cites my November 5th chronicle "10 spørsmål om fremtidens UiS". Foss, who is sympathetic with my views, is former protector at the University College of Stavanger (now the University of Stavanger). Among other things he asks whether some kinds of petroleum research should be phased out soon, and suggests that renewable energy might be a top priority by 2020/2025.

Final grading of 42 UiB exam papers

Today I have discussed and agreed with the internal examiner at University of Bergen concerning final grades for 42 exam papers in Examen Philosophicum.

See also:

42 exam papers graded for UiB

"The biosemiotic glossary project: Agent, agency" accepted for publication

My review article "The biosemiotic glossary project: Agent, agency" has some days ago been accepted for publication in Biosemiotics. It will appear in print in Biosemiotics 8(1), due in April.

Excellence in research program: Project budget composed

Today I met with an economist in the administration of University of Stavanger to compose a project budget for my upcoming research application within the university´s program for excellence in research. About 8 million Norwegian Crowns in total, over 5 years.

Planning meeting attended

Today I have attended a brief planning meeting at Department of Social Studies in relation to the March personnel trip.

2 hours of teaching - academic writing

Today I have been teaching for 2 hours in the courses for bachelor thesis in child welfare and social work respectively (course codes BBABAC and BSOBAC) at University of Stavanger´s Department of social studies - as part of a 6-hour course in academic writing.

One more meeting on excellence in research program

Today I have met with the research director at University of Stavanger to discuss my intent to apply within the UiS´ program for excellence in research.

28 exam papers graded for UiA

This weekend I finished grading 28 papers for University of Agder´s Department of Religion, Philosophy and History, in the course Examen Philosophicum. This was a digital exam (in WISEflow).

42 exam papers graded for UiB

This weekend I preliminarily graded 42 papers for University of Bergen´s Faculty of Social Sciences, in the course Examen Philosophicum (seminar model - course code EXPHIL-SVSEM, groups 1.3 and 2.7). These exam papers are also being graded by an internal examiner, so we´ll still have to discuss and agree on grades in a few days. This was a digital exam spanning over the whole autumn term.

Almost 5.000 visited Utopian Realism in 2014

I use StatCounter for keeping track of the number of visits to my blogs etc. In 2014, Utopian Realism had 7.091 visits (or page loads) (up from 6.252 in 2013 and 5.576 in 2012). My Norwegian language blog Utopisk Realisme, where I have been far less active, saw a decline to 3.410 visits (down from 4.379 in 2013 and 10.540 in 2012).

The number of unique visitors to Utopian Realism increased from 3.802 in 2013 to 4.706 in 2014. The number of returning visitors, however, declined from 674 in 2013 (17,7%) to 341 in 2014 (7,2%). The trend was the opposite for Utopisk Realisme, with declining visitor numbers but the proportion of returning visitors increasing from 5,5% in 2013 to 15% in 2014 (likely in the main due to this blog post on Kulturverk.com). This can be interpreted in the following way: While in 2013 things "happened" in my academic blog Utopian Realism (related to events in the biosemiotic community), in 2014 things "happened" in my Norwegian language blog Utopisk Realisme.

Indian visa received

Today I received my visa, and got my passport back, in anticipation of the upcoming conference Minding Animals Conference 3, to be held in Delhi, India, January 14-20.

457 posts in 2014

In 2014, as many as 457 posts appeared in this blog, Utopian Realism. The previous record, from 2013, was 286. I have posted more than 100 times a year since 2009. The blog - or rather academic log - was established in 2008.

Despite the frantic activity last year, I still have a considerable backlog of activities to report.