Karen Greiner, a fourth year dosctoral student, is currently in Bogota Colombia conducting dissertation research as a 2008 Fulbright Fellow.  While in Bogota, Greiner will be investigating the use of innovative communication strategies to promote civic engagement. Greiner is particularly interested in the twice-elected former mayor of Bogota, Antanas Mockus (1995-1997 & 2001-2003), whose playful communication strategies have attracted international press attention (See http://www.hno.harvard.edu/gazette/2004/03.11/01-mockus.html).

When asked about her interest in this research project Greiner described her attraction to "asset oriented" research. "In my first year as a doctoral student I found myself constantly criticizing and deconstructing - focusing largely on deficits and deficiencies. Now I am more interested in positive, inspiring stories. In Bogota I want to learn more about the creation and use of what I am calling "ludic communication" and "ludic spaces." For example, what kinds of possibilities are created when instead of police officers, you have mimes directing traffic? How are the landscape and energy of the city changed when major highways are closed to make way for promenading families and cyclists? My goal is to interview citizens from all walks of life - including the former mayor - to ask them their opinions and recollections of the deliberate enactment of playfulness in the city. The Fullbright commission here in Bogota has been wonderfully supportive and very helpful in providing contacts.  I've also discovered that taxi drivers, in particular, are a great source of information on Bogota of the "Mockus era." Next I'd like to access bus drivers and the street performers who were hired by the Mokus administration. I would also love to cycle around the city with Mockus - although I'm not sure if it will be possible...which won't keep me from asking!"

Karen Greiner in front of a sculpture by Fernando Botero, one of Colombia's most famous visual artists. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botero

From a scholarly standpoint, Greiner described her research as part of a larger project that aims to theorize creative, participatory forms of communication for social change. Her dissertation, titled: "Exploring dialogic social change," draws on theorists of dialogue including Martin Buber, Mikhail Bakhtin and Paolo Freire. Regarding the potential practical applications of her dissertation Greiner had this to say: "Although I consider my research an attempt to engage with theory, my hope is that my writing will be of interest to practitioners involved in communication for social change projects. I want to illustrate different manifestations of what I am calling 'dialogic social change' and through analysis of these manifestations, offer a variety of tools that can help render social change interventions more invitational and horizontal."

"And last but not least," Greiner added, "I want have fun while working on my dissertation."

According to a press release from the U.S. State Department, Greiner is one of only 1,450 students who received the Fullbright Award during the 2008-2009 academic year.  The Fullbright award is American's flagship international educational exchange program and is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.  The underlying purpose of the Fullbright program is to "promote mutual understanding and respect between the people of te United States and the people of other countries.

 

Karen practicing nonverbal communication with a mime at the Plaza St. Bolivar.