Storytelling and Technology: Books, Libraries, Rhythms and Films

In June this year ABC’s The Drum published Once upon a time loving books was easy, my op ed that explored the social experience of books, literacy development and technology. This week Screen Education ran Cutting With Rhythm, my new profile about Ben Joss (pictured), a film and television editor I’ve worked with on short film productions, and the ‘rhythmic programming’ that shapes the way he cuts footage. I’m pleased with how both stories turned out. Since finishing my Post Doctoral Research Fellowship I’m building on my interest in how people use technology for communication, but in media spaces beyond health promotion.

My short term teaching duties in the Arts Industries unit at Victoria University left me with little time and made writing, blogging and participating in social media more difficult. Now that classes and marking have finished, I’ve been able to reflect on these non-fiction pieces. What stands out for me from a writing and research perspective is that the articles consider the factors shaping how technology is used and applied – including where they limit engagement with storytelling, and where they facilitate creativity. Although they are quite different stories, and I did not plan to write them together, this work continues my exploration of the relationship between people and technology, and the context that influences the production of text and audio+visual content across a range of digital media platforms.

Engaging Africa/Engaging Africans: Knowledge, Representation, Politics

Last week I presented a paper at Engaging Africa/Engaging Africans: Knowledge, Representation, Politics. It was a fantastic conference and inspirational on many levels. I was particularly interested in the ‘history of knowledge’ relating to African diaspora communities, and its implications for the use and application of digital technology.

My presentation explored issues and opportunities related to mobile phone communication for health and wellbeing information with the Sudanese community. A key element of this was the consideration of a local/community perspective and technology strategies using a ‘differentiated’ approach based on age, gender, language, literacy and other factors. The feedback on my paper was quite positive. It has given me new angles and ideas to explore for an academic article based on the presentation, and a nonfiction piece.

Beyond my own work, I think it was an important academic event for Victoria University to host and support in collaboration with the African Studies Association of Australasia and the Pacific. It demonstrated the complex experiences of African communities, the ongoing negotiation of power relationships between individuals, groups and organisations within and working with African communities, and what we can learn from research, training and development projects happening in the many countries within Africa, and across the world.

Related links:

African Studies Association of Australasia and the Pacific

Sending the Right Message: Use and Access of ICT for Communicating Messages of Health and Community Wellbeing to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Communities

Using ICT for Chronic Disease Self-Management by CALD Communities

NBN and Refugee, Migrant Health and Wellbeing

Since Julia Gillard managed to get the Labour government back in power (kind of), there has been much debate concerning the National Broadband Network (NBN) in Australia. My research has found that the rollout of the NBN, or other improved broadband infrastructure, has implications for health communication with refugee and migrant communities. Expensive internet access means that many people are excluded from health, education, finance and other essential information.

Crikey published my new story that looks at the NBN in relation to refugee and migrant health communication, and in particular how Sudanese and Vietnamese communities in country regions of Victoria engage with digital technology.

Crikey is an excellent publication. I recommend you subscribe to read mine and many other great pieces! However, the story was re-published and is also available at the Cultural Diversity Institute.

Outside the Net

Australian Catholics Magazine invited me to contribute a personal story to their current issue which focuses on technology and social justice. This was a chance to reflect on my experiences working with the Sudanese, Vietnamese and Samoan communities in Melbourne’s west, and some of the discoveries I made about the way they interact with digital technology. I enjoy writing short, sharp pieces. It’s only five hundred words, but canvases some of the issues I address through my Post Doctoral research at Victoria University.