Isospectral Hamiltonians from Moyal products

Recently Scholtz and Geyer proposed a very efficient method to compute metric operators for non-Hermitian Hamiltonians from Moyal products. We develop these ideas further and suggest to use a more symmetrical definition for the Moyal products, because they lead to simpler differential equations. In addition, we demonstrate how to use this approach to determine the Hermitian counterpart for a Pseudo-Hermitian Hamiltonian. We illustrate our suggestions with the explicitly solvable example of the -x^4-potential and the ubiquitous harmonic oscillator in a complex cubic potential.Comment: 10 pages, to appear special issue Czech. J. Phy

International Dimensions of the Creative and Cultural Sectors: Culture, Diplomacy and Branding

This is the concept note of a short course developed and delivered in 2021 for public and private actors engaging in the process of supporting the internationalisation of the cultural and creative sectors in Angola. It explores international cultural relations, public/cultural diplomacy and nation/city/region/place branding, aiming at supporting entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial practices contributing to the development of Angola’s creative economy and cultural ecosystem. The online course was delivered in the Autumn 2021 and was part of the Train for Trade II EU - UNCTAD Joint Programme for Angola - Creative Economy component

Address to the European Parliament public hearing by the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Culture and Education on the EU Strategy for International Cultural Relations

Dr Carla Figueira delivered her address to the European Parliament on the 14.10.2021 European Parliament public hearing by the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Culture and Education: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/culture-in-the-eu-s-external-relations/product-details/20211006CHE09441 The hearing looked at the implementation of the 2017 European Parliament resolution “Towards an EU strategy for international cultural relations” and suggested possible avenues for further development. I was invited as a speaker from academia, along with three other speakers from the European External Action Service (EEAS), the German Institute for Foreign Relations (ifa), and UNESCO. You can find the recording of the hearing here: https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/cult-afet_20211014-1345-COMMITTEE-CULT-AFET_vd Main intervention by Carla Figueira is at 14:17:29

Teaching practices under unexpected circumstances: using online tools during Covid-19

Since unexpected circumstances are and have been around us for the last years, the present paper approach a reflective angle to investigate how to improve and enhance the student's experience and learning process based on teaching observations and practices. Like many other lecturers and teachers worldwide during the Covid pandemic, both authors experienced a new environment which push them to look for relevant hybrid and digital/virtual techniques and tools to provide the best solutions for a good student experience. Focusing mainly on the authors' reflective experiences and practices, this paper examines how tools and innovative techniques were identified and put in place within very short timeframes. All those practices and experiences shown in this teaching demonstration have high applicability to different courses, contexts, and educational levels. This article provides personal reflections from both authors as well as practices from the Gilly Salmon model and workshops developed via the MURAL digital tool

Lusophone Gastrodiplomacy and Tourism: Macau and the BRICS

Given its history, Macau’s significance as a gateway between China and the Lusophone countries remains undiminished in the 21st century, and, underpinned by gastrodiplomacy and tourism, appears to becoming even more important in this respect. Gastronomy is an intrinsic element of Macau’s cultural identity and an important differentiation factor for its tourism industry. It also has the potential to be a key participant in the BRICS network through gastrodiplomacy and as a focus of cultural and culinary exchange

Emergencies, Emergences, Engagement: Cultural Relations and Climate Action

Carla Figueira and Aimee Fullman argue for the need to avoid distant, apocalyptic visions of climate change. Instead, they suggest telling ‘better stories’ about where we want to go and the sort of world we want to live in. They argue that cultural relations, and cultural relations organisations, can play a key role in shaping this new framing of climate change. Cultural relations is an underutilised resource in addressing the climate emergency, and cultural relations organisations have an important part to play. This essay is part of the British Council’s Climate Connection