CIS 720 Seminar – A Talk With Dr. Buente on Betel nut and Instagram

Please join us on Monday Oct 21, 4:30-5:30 (Hamilton Library 3F) for a talk with Dr. Wayne Buente on Betel nut and Instagram. 
 
Title: Betel nut and Instagram
 
Abstract: 
A 2012 WHO report recognizes betel nut use as an urgent public health threat faced by the Western Pacific region. Yet, compared to other addictive substances, little is known about how the use of betel nut is depicted on social media platforms. The purpose of the study explores and documents the ways that betel nut is portrayed on the photo-sharing site Instagram. The analysis focuses on the hashtag #pugua, which refers to the local term for betel nut on Guam and other parts of Micronesia. Findings demonstrate the complex social context that ties #pugua to its audience and cultural message. Findings from this study may guide Western Pacific health efforts toward the development and implementation of effective health promotion and behavioral change using social media.

Bio: 
Dr. Wayne Buente is an Associate Professor in the School of Communications at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. His research interests examine social media, digital inequality and social and community informatics. Dr. Buente is a member of the University of Guam/University of Hawaii Cancer Center Comprehensive Partnership to Advance Health Equity. He is currently on the editorial board for the Bulletin of Science, Technology and Society and the Journal of Information Science,Theory and Practice.