Maintaining social networks: the use of ICTs by Chinese and Italian migrants in Melbourne
Abstract
This presentation will describe ‘Connecting Communities’, a research project recently undertaken into the use of Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) by Italian and Chinese migrants in Melbourne. Based on a series of in-depth interviews with a wide range of migrants, ‘Connecting Communities’ aimed to explore a number of questions, including: the types of technologies used, the purposes for which those technologies are used, the settings in which they are used, and languages of communication.
‘Connecting Communities’ was designed as a pilot study that could feed into a larger project to be undertaken in 2009, the purpose of which will be to examine questions relating to social cohesion via a study of Chinese immigrants in Central and Northern Italy, and Italian and Chinese immigrants in Australia. To that end, the project also aimed to provide some preliminary data concerning the nature of the social networks maintained by these groups, the role of ICTs in shaping those networks, and the varying patterns and processes of communications for: maintaining multi-lateral social relationships, family and local identities, acquiring local knowledge, retaining 'homeland' cultural ties, advancing business relationships, and language learning.
Tom Denison
Tom Denison is a research associate with the Centre for Community Networking Research at Monash University, and conducts research in the broad areas of social and community informatics. His current projects include: a cross-cultural study of the drivers for, and barriers to, the adoption of web-based technologies by non-profit organizations in Australia and Italy; an investigation of the assimilatory power of Internet cafes (points) in Prato (Italy) used by the Chinese migrant community; and a study of the role of social networks and ICTs for social cohesion among Chinese and Italian communities in Melbourne, Australia, compared with the Chinese in Prato, Italy.
Graeme Johanson
As Director of the Centre for Community Networking Research (www.ccnr.net) at Monash University, Associate Professor Graeme Johanson has a strong research interest in community informatics and the potential of information and communications technology for community improvement. His current research projects include: ‘Mobs4D’, a comparison of the use of mobile phones for rural regions in China, India and South Africa, as aids for alleviation of poverty and encouraging micro-businesses; an investigation of the assimilatory power of Internet cafes (points) in Prato (Italy) used by the Chinese migrant community; and a study of the role of social networks and ICTs for social cohesion among Chinese and Italian communities in Melbourne, Australia, compared with the Chinese in Prato.