Innovative new project looks at Dunedin’s past, present and future

A new ‘Global Dunedin’ initiative, run out of the University of Otago’s Centre for Research on Colonial Culture, aims to provide Dunedinites with a fresh perspective on their city’s past, present, and its future.

Through both social media and a series of public lectures, the newly launched Global Dunedin initiative is designed to act as a forum for those living in Dunedin and beyond to discuss the current state of the city, the nature of its identity, and its future prospects – all through the lens of various Otago researchers’ expertise.

Head of the Department of History and Art History and one of the driving forces behind Global Dunedin, Professor Tony Ballantyne says he is excited to see the innovative new project come to fruition.

“This project is the first of its kind for the University and for Dunedin. We think it is an important undertaking because our city is packed with really compelling and interesting stories. And sharing those stories is one way in which we might help strengthen the bonds of community,” he says.

“For folks who might know a lot about Dunedin’s history and who know the city well, they will be introduced to some new ways of thinking about this place. For others who have a limited knowledge or who haven’t really been interested previously, we hope it will stimulate a new curiosity about our city and the forces that have shaped it.”

Everything from food to music, buildings to religion, and global events to local controversies will be part of the Global Dunedin discussion according to Professor Ballantyne.

“It will illuminate Dunedin’s place in the world, assessing the ways in which major global events have resonated here and how things, practices and ideas from here – from the ‘Dunedin Sound’ to iD Dunedin Fashion Week, from research produced here at the University to the province’s proud rugby tradition – have circulated globally.”

Global Dunedin also presents a unique opportunity for community groups, schools, and various local associations to be actively engaged in producing new research and participate in the project directly.

“We are particularly keen to involve senior High School history classes (and other disciplines) in the project and have received very enthusiastic responses from teachers about this. Classes might research blog entries, put together short essays or even videos that engage with or reflect upon the theme.”

Professor Ballantyne says that anyone interested in having their class or community group get involved in Global Dunedin can contact him at 03 479 8061 or tony.ballantyne@otago.ac.nz

The first Global Dunedin public lecture is set to take place on Sunday 12 April at 2pm at Toitu Otago Settlers Museum.

The premiere talk will feature Dr Graeme Downes of Otago’s Department of Music discussing what he sees as the “absurdity” of the terms ‘local’ and ‘global’ in relation to February’s Tally Ho concert at the Dunedin Town Hall.

Follow the Global Dunedin blog at: blogs.otago.ac.nz/global-dunedin