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.

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.

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.

A Month of Conferences

The end of 2009 is shaping up as conference time for me. I will be presenting on the use and application of ICT to communicate messages of health and wellbeing for refugee and migrant communities at:

• Empowering communities: learning from community informatics practice (Prato Community CIRN Conference, Italy, 4-6 November 2009)
• Digitally Empowering Communities: Learning from Development Informatics Practice (3rd International IDIA Conference, Berg-en-Dal Camp, Kruger National Park, South Africa, 28 October 2009)
• Making Links 2009: Social Action and Technology (17-18 November)

I will also be presenting on writing for short film production at the 2009 AAWP Annual Conference: Margins and Mainstream, Hamilton, New Zealand, 26-28 November.

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.