Affinities in Multicultural Australia. Concern has grown in Australia and other advanced societies about perceived threats to social cohesion and national identity through diversity. But are people’s values really so different, and are they directly related to ethnicity? This project will provide the first systematic analysis of the affinities (similarities in values and practices) that link diverse groups and individuals in multicultural Australia. It will examine whether such affinities can ou ....Affinities in Multicultural Australia. Concern has grown in Australia and other advanced societies about perceived threats to social cohesion and national identity through diversity. But are people’s values really so different, and are they directly related to ethnicity? This project will provide the first systematic analysis of the affinities (similarities in values and practices) that link diverse groups and individuals in multicultural Australia. It will examine whether such affinities can outweigh differences and provide the basis for local belonging in multi-ethnic neighbourhoods. The Affinities Project turns the current emphasis on difference on its head. It will provide a new knowledge base, crucial to social scientific analysis as well as to policy formation.Read moreRead less
Missing people, missing stories in the aftermath of genocide. This project aims to explore how the unresolved issue of the missing people from the 1992-95 Bosnian conflict has affected the social identities, memories and settlement patterns of the survivors in three diaspora contexts in Australia, Sweden and The United States. The ethnographic study expects to generate new knowledge in the area of forced migration and provide understanding of the complexity of the refugee condition in the afterm ....Missing people, missing stories in the aftermath of genocide. This project aims to explore how the unresolved issue of the missing people from the 1992-95 Bosnian conflict has affected the social identities, memories and settlement patterns of the survivors in three diaspora contexts in Australia, Sweden and The United States. The ethnographic study expects to generate new knowledge in the area of forced migration and provide understanding of the complexity of the refugee condition in the aftermath of genocide. Expected outcomes of this project include institutional and interdisciplinary collaborations, raising awareness about the missing worldwide and informing policy on migration and resettlement of refugee communities after conflict, loss and social fragmentation.Read moreRead less
The Residential Segregation/Desegregation Behaviour of Immigrant Minority Groups in Sydney, Australia's Largest Ethnicity. There is in western nations a developing crisis with multiculturalism as the continual build up of ethnic groups in segregated areas to levels not originally contemplated occurs, exacerbated by the continued decline in birth rates in the host communities. This has been compounded by their relatively disadvantaged situation within growing segregated areas. As a result governm ....The Residential Segregation/Desegregation Behaviour of Immigrant Minority Groups in Sydney, Australia's Largest Ethnicity. There is in western nations a developing crisis with multiculturalism as the continual build up of ethnic groups in segregated areas to levels not originally contemplated occurs, exacerbated by the continued decline in birth rates in the host communities. This has been compounded by their relatively disadvantaged situation within growing segregated areas. As a result governments are struggling to develop new integration policies. Our goal is to portray and assess the Australian situation relative to that in comparative countries and in doing so to place this crisis and proposed responses into context within the Australian scene.Read moreRead less
The Geogrgaphy of Ethnic Group Segregation in Australia, 1966-2001. Comprehensive analysis of the nature and dynamics of ethnic group segregation and assimilation in Australian cities and non-urban areas during much of the post-WW2 period is an under-researched area. Overseas work in OECD countries indicates strengthening of structural spatial divisions and of walls separating ethnic groups from each other and from the 'host' society. Yet the evidence for Australia, a quintessentially immigran ....The Geogrgaphy of Ethnic Group Segregation in Australia, 1966-2001. Comprehensive analysis of the nature and dynamics of ethnic group segregation and assimilation in Australian cities and non-urban areas during much of the post-WW2 period is an under-researched area. Overseas work in OECD countries indicates strengthening of structural spatial divisions and of walls separating ethnic groups from each other and from the 'host' society. Yet the evidence for Australia, a quintessentially immigrant country suggests we have the lowest levels of ethnic group segregation among OECD countries. This project uses an innovative methodology developed by the authors to assess and compare change over time and place to test the validity of ideas about the uniqueness of the Australian experience urban ethnic group experience in our multicultural society.Read moreRead less
Transnationalism and Citizenship: the Australian experience in comparative perspective. This project explores transnationalism and its impacts on Australian migrants and their children from China, Hong Kong and Turkey. It examines their involvement in transnational practices and linkages between their homeland, Australia and third countries.The links between transnationalism, sense of identity and experiences of citizenship and exclusion are explored. In addition to comparing the effects associ ....Transnationalism and Citizenship: the Australian experience in comparative perspective. This project explores transnationalism and its impacts on Australian migrants and their children from China, Hong Kong and Turkey. It examines their involvement in transnational practices and linkages between their homeland, Australia and third countries.The links between transnationalism, sense of identity and experiences of citizenship and exclusion are explored. In addition to comparing the effects associated with living in Sydney and Brisbane, our findings will constitute part of an international comparative project involving Canada, the UK and GermanyRead moreRead less
Migration, Mixed Marriage and Integration in Australia. This project aims to investigate the prevalence, experience and variations of ethnic and religious mixed marriage in Australia, which will guide policies that facilitate social integration and cohesion. The implications of a lack of integration have been demonstrated by recent events in Europe and US, which reflect strong anti-immigration tendencies. This project expects to generate new sociological knowledge of ethnic/religious mixed-marri ....Migration, Mixed Marriage and Integration in Australia. This project aims to investigate the prevalence, experience and variations of ethnic and religious mixed marriage in Australia, which will guide policies that facilitate social integration and cohesion. The implications of a lack of integration have been demonstrated by recent events in Europe and US, which reflect strong anti-immigration tendencies. This project expects to generate new sociological knowledge of ethnic/religious mixed-marriage, new understanding in social integration and enhanced research capacity in the area of migration and integration. This research should provide significant benefits, such as enhanced cultural understanding and appropriate policies that foster social integration of cultural groups.Read moreRead less
Refugees and Employment: Exploring the Effects of Visible Difference on Discrimination. This project investigates the impact of ?visible difference? (racial, religious, language) on the success of refugee resettlement in Australia, as measured by employment outcomes. Employment is a major factor determining positive resettlement, yet according to available data, our own research in progress, and anecdotal evidence, unsatisfactory employment outcomes are widespread among refugee communities (DIMI ....Refugees and Employment: Exploring the Effects of Visible Difference on Discrimination. This project investigates the impact of ?visible difference? (racial, religious, language) on the success of refugee resettlement in Australia, as measured by employment outcomes. Employment is a major factor determining positive resettlement, yet according to available data, our own research in progress, and anecdotal evidence, unsatisfactory employment outcomes are widespread among refugee communities (DIMIA 2002; Jupp 2001). However, few studies have been undertaken to explore this. Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies, the research looks at barriers and facilitators to successful employment outcomes for refugees, from the point of view of refugees and employers. Results will be fed back to employers, employer agencies, refugee communities and government.Read moreRead less
Islamic religiosity and challenge of political engagement and national belonging in multicultural western cities. This project will investigate how participation in Islamic religious practices strengthens attachments to the western cities where Muslims have chosen to live. It will contribute to global, national and local policy outcomes that focus on the challenges of accommodating minority religions in diverse western cities.
Local Governance, Multiculturalism and Active Citizenship: The Case of Arab-Muslim Diaspora in the West. This project will advance our understanding of the best practice approaches towards the management of intercultural relationships within multicultural communities. It will generate international benchmark data on the management of multicultural spaces and will lead to a range of practical policies for local city councils, NGOs and state governments. The findings will form a robust empirical b ....Local Governance, Multiculturalism and Active Citizenship: The Case of Arab-Muslim Diaspora in the West. This project will advance our understanding of the best practice approaches towards the management of intercultural relationships within multicultural communities. It will generate international benchmark data on the management of multicultural spaces and will lead to a range of practical policies for local city councils, NGOs and state governments. The findings will form a robust empirical basis for understanding the optimal way of formulating government-NGOs partnerships in the successful implementation of culturally responsive policies. The study will also result in the development of effective policy responses aimed at enhancing active citizenship, social cohesion and intercultural understanding.Read moreRead less
Australian Immigrant Mentalities. Immigrants arrive in Australia in hundreds of thousands and are generally anonymous and invisible in the historical and contemporary record. But many emigrants, from the days of the convicts to present times, have written home. These records contain their direct experience of immigration. This project explores the inner worlds of the immigrant , their response to Australia and how they coped with the process of migration. As one of the great immigrant nations of ....Australian Immigrant Mentalities. Immigrants arrive in Australia in hundreds of thousands and are generally anonymous and invisible in the historical and contemporary record. But many emigrants, from the days of the convicts to present times, have written home. These records contain their direct experience of immigration. This project explores the inner worlds of the immigrant , their response to Australia and how they coped with the process of migration. As one of the great immigrant nations of modern times Australia would benefit from hearing the voices of the immigrant. This intimate documentation relates to all the controversies that have accompanied the course of Australian immigration, past and present.Read moreRead less