Culture, Identity, and Inclusion

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10125/112447

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Now showing 1 - 7 of 7

From Fragmentation to Inclusion: How Lived Experiences of Vegan-Content Creators Shape Content to Mobilize Diverse Motivations
(2026-01-06) Perez-Ayala, Lolita; Winter, Jenifer
Social media is reshaping activism by enabling decentralized engagement and transforming how individuals participate in social movements. This study examines how vegan-content creators leverage their lived experiences to shape digital activism through identity negotiation, narrative construction, and inclusive framing. While digital activism has been widely studied, the role of lived experience in shaping content strategies—particularly within lifestyle-based, digitally organized movements like veganism—remains underexplored. Using a digital ethnographic approach that combines walkthrough analysis of Instagram content with thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews, this research reveals how creators act as actors of cultural change who balance authenticity with audience inclusivity. Through adaptive storytelling and the strategic use of platform affordances, creators’ lived experiences and digital tools co-evolve, shaping identity work and narrative adaptation within fragmented movements. This study contributes to the understanding of digital activism by examining how lived experiences and platform affordances mutually shape inclusive activism in fragmented movements.
I Hate It (Smiley with Heart): Exploring Generation Z’s Perceived Socio-Psychological Motives, Attitudes, and Cultural Impact on Incongruent Emoji Use
(2026-01-06) Shin, Juyeon; Yeh, Chia-Hsin
This study examined Generation Z’s perceived socio-psychological motivations and attitudes toward incongruent emoji use, particularly focusing on cultural influences at both national and situational levels. Grounded in Uses and Gratifications Theory and the concept of language attitudes, the study employed a quasi-experimental design using social media-style stimuli where emoji congruence and emotional intensity were manipulated. Results indicated that incongruent emoji use was significantly associated with motivations including expressing uniqueness, belonging, humor, and saving face, while releasing emotions and seeking emotional support were more linked to congruent emojis, and was perceived as more creative but less appropriate and comprehensible. Overall, these findings suggest that Generation Z uses incongruent emojis as strategic tools for identity expression and self-presentation in public digital spaces. The study reveals that situational-level cultural orientations are more influential than national-level categories, reflecting cultural convergence in online environments.
Asymmetric Fragmentation: How Subscription-Based Monetization Fractures Creator Communities
(2026-01-06) Sun, Yuanze; Chen, Cheng; Zhang, Xiaohui; Zhao, Keran
This study examines how subscription-based monetization affects social dynamics in digital creator communities through the lens of Social Identity Theory (SIT). Using panel data from Bilibili and difference-in-differences analysis, our findings reveal that while subscriber interactions exhibit improved sentiment and engagement, the broader community suffers from reduced engagement and degraded interaction quality. We introduce the concept of asymmetric fragmentation to explain how subscription-based models simultaneously enhance insider solidarity and erode overall community engagement. We demonstrate that subscription-based access enhances interaction quality within the paying subscriber group but negatively impacts the numerically dominant non-subscriber group. These results contribute to creator economy literature by extending SIT to platform-driven economic stratification and highlighting the hidden trade-offs of monetization strategies.
The Hidden Side of Digital Inclusion: Psychological Barriers to Competence in Social Media Use
(2026-01-06) Macedo, Joana; Neves, Joana; Neves, Catarina; Oliveira, Tiago; Cruz-Jesus, Frederico
Digital inclusion extends beyond access to platforms—it requires individuals to feel competent and autonomous in online spaces. While much research focuses on how social media affects mental health, this study examines the inverse: how poor mental health shapes experiences of digital participation. Drawing on self-determination theory, we analyze the effects of sleep quality, anxiety, and depression on perceived social media competence, autonomy, and relatedness. Results from a structural equation model show that anxiety and depression reduce competence and autonomy, while poor sleep undermines relatedness. Age moderates the link between relatedness and competence, with older users reporting lower perceived competence. These findings suggest that internal psychological states act as hidden barriers to digital inclusion, especially across age groups. The study contributes to conversations on identity and inclusion by highlighting how mental health influences one’s ability to engage meaningfully in social media environments.
Privacy Concerns about AI Smart Glasses: A Cross-Cultural Study of the U.S. and South Korea
(2026-01-06) Chock, T.Makana; Kim, Se Jung; Lee, Yoon
Newer AI smart glasses (AISG) enable users to unobtrusively capture photographs and videos, raising privacy issues for individuals who may remain unaware that they are being recorded. This cross-cultural online survey examined privacy perspectives between two technologically sophisticated yet culturally distinct societies, the United States and South Korea. The study investigated how bystander privacy considerations could guide AI smart glasses technology development and shape public opinions regarding technology governance. As predicted, South Koreans reported significantly greater privacy concerns, agreement with social norms supporting bystanders’ privacy rights, support for self-regulation, and support for both legal restrictions and technological solutions concerning the use of AISG. In both countries, individuals’ own privacy concerns were also positively correlated with these factors. Women in both countries exhibited greater privacy concerns. Participants’ age increased privacy concerns in the U.S., but age decreased concerns in South Korea.
Introduction to the Minitrack on Culture, Identity, and Inclusion
(2026-01-06) Cogburn, Derrick; Trevisan, Filippo; Levinson, Nanette
Reframing Cultural Heritage Digitization: Co-Creation, Inclusion, and the Quadruple Helix Approach
(2026-01-06) Skarzauskiene, Aelita; Maciuliene, Monika; Kovaitė, Kristina
This paper addresses the fragmented dynamics of stakeholder engagement in cultural heritage digitisation, particularly where minority and Indigenous representation is concerned. Drawing on co-creation theory, innovation ecosystems, and the Quadruple Helix framework, it introduces a model that treats engagement as an evolving process across civil society, academia, government, and industry—while recognising communities as autonomous knowledge actors. The model was tested through an analysis of 40 digitisation projects across Canada, Australia, the USA, and Croatia, selected for their focus on cultural self-representation, oral traditions, and community-led preservation. Findings highlight the significance of shared governance and sustained community leadership in embedding co-creation across decision-making and stewardship. The paper argues that genuine engagement requires a redistribution of power and epistemic authority, not just inclusion. The conclusion outlines implications for digital heritage policy, especially regarding data sovereignty and culturally appropriate infrastructure. Ongoing research will explore how the model can be applied across diverse contexts.

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