Author Archives: whitmom

My Disney story

Social research cannot be conducted in a vacuum. All research is influenced by the life experiences and personal values of the researcher, as well as what is going on in the world around them. My current research focus, on Disney and plastic waste, is a product of my life experiences, travel, work, and study.  I have been aware of Disney for as long as I can remember.Continue reading “My Disney story”

Juggling / Struggling

R U OK? Day is a good reminder to check in with your own feelings as well as with others. I feel exhausted. Almost numb some of the time. I am trying to be the best wife, mother, daughter, daughter-in-law, granddaughter, niece, aunt, sister, friend, pet-owner, laundress, cleaner, cook, assistant gardener, hairdresser, teacher’s assistant, neighbour, employee,Continue reading “Juggling / Struggling”

Personal brand

I am not good at self-promotion; I never have been. When I recently enrolled in a course that included working on personal brand, I knew it was going to involve some personal discomfort. As has become my custom, I immediately made a link to the book I am reading at the moment, Grace under pressureContinue reading “Personal brand”

Finding a theory

I have been advised that I need to define the theoretical basis for my research, but I struggle with the concept of picking one theory that will frame my research. None of my thinking up to this point has been based in any particular theory and much of the literature overwhelms me. A combination ofContinue reading “Finding a theory”

Connecting with theory

I have spent the past 20 years in the public sector focussing on Plain English writing. Stepping back into academia, it feels like everyone is speaking a different language. Nearly six months into my PhD candidature there are still moments when I feel completely out of my depth. There are theorists that I have heardContinue reading “Connecting with theory”

The Disney influence

What amazes me the most about the story of Disney is the number of setbacks and perceived failures that have occurred throughout the company’s nearly 100 years and yet it has continued to grow from humble cartoon beginnings into the empire it is today. I think there are some lessons in this for everyone.  In 1923 brothers Walt and RoyContinue reading “The Disney influence”

Plastic waste

I read an Instagram post the other day @lowtoxlife that quoted the number of plastic bottles produced by Coca-Cola (120 billion/year and the world’s top plastic polluter according to @greenpeace) and suggested that the best option to address this for people and planet was to stop consuming the ultra-processed food that they produce. I completely agree, except that IContinue reading “Plastic waste”