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

High-tech Health in the Bush

My new story has been published as a weekly feature at Eureka Street. High-tech Health in the Bush makes a case for affordable and user friendly technological innovation to effectively support the health and wellbeing of Australia’s diverse range of communities, such as culturally and linguistically diverse groups in rural and remote areas.

High-tech Health in the Bush

The story was a great way to draw on my travel experiences and research work  in regional Australia, and also poorer communities in South Africa.

Confronting housing inequality

This article was a weekly feature at Eureka Street in May 2009. It explored the effects of gentrification on people, families and communities from lower socio-economic and/or culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The story highlighted how a lack of information and awareness around housing and renting options adds to the cost and challenges of relocation or finding a place to live due to gentrification.