Source: Massey University The topic of humour is explored from a range of academic perspectives at this weekâs conference. The theme of the 27th Conference of the Australasian Humour Studies Network (February 3-5) is Humour at Work: Applications, Industries and Economies. With both in-person and online sessions, the event brings together a diverse range of academics in business and management, languages, sociolinguistics and media studies from Aotearoa, Australia and Canada, says convener Dr Nicholas Holm. He is a senior lecturer in Media Studies in the School of Humanities, Media and Creative Communication, and specialises in the study of humour in politics.