Enhancing Digital Participation Amongst Refugee and Migrant Background Youth
Investigating ways to improve access to technology for young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds.
Our Vision
When given access to resources and support young people can rely on technology for work, education, socialising and health. For instance, technology enables online job interviews, virtual classrooms, connectivity to online support groups, and telehealth appointments. However, young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds have faced digital inclusion challenges, highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.
This research aims to investigate and identify the factors that can enhance digital participation amongst refugee and migrant background youth in Victoria, Australia. We have a diverse team of researchers and community partners collaborating with young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds, and together will propose strategies to enhance participation in the digital world.
Our Project Plan
The project plans to:
- Investigate and document specific enablers of and barriers to young people from refugee and migrant backgrounds’ digital participation in the domains of employment, education, social/civic connection and wellbeing;
- Investigate current responses and policies addressing existing barriers.
- Create youth-centred initiatives to improve young people’s, and their communities, digital participation through youth-led projects; and
- Identify the needs of refugee and migrant youth, and the organisations who support these young people, in improving digital participation.
Project History
This project is led in collaboration with our researcher partners at the Centre for Resilient and Inclusive Societies, the Centre for Multicultural Youth and youth researchers from the Explore program.
What Impact will this research have?
We urgently require evidence-based policy and programming that directly addresses young people’s digital participation experiences, capabilities and needs.
By uncovering the needs of refugee and migrant youth, we will develop strategies and recommendations on how to reduce unequal access to technology in the areas of education, employment, social life, and wellbeing.
Outputs
- Digital For All report.
- Harris, A, Lam, K, Third, A, Collin, P, Idriss, S, Quek, S, Welland, L, Kenny, E, Cao, D, Grewal, K, Lee, A, Lim, M, & Walimunige, H. (2023) Enhancing Digital Participation amongst Refugee and Migrant Background Youth Project: Key Findings and Recommendations for Policy and Practice.
- Enhancing Digital Participation amongst Refugee and Migrant Youth - Final Report.
Outcomes
- Partnerships with academics, community organisations and youth researchers.
- Capacity building and meaningful involvement of young people as co-researchers.
- Youth-led projects
Collaboration team
This project is a partnership between The Centre for Resilient and Inclusive Societies (CRIS), Deakin University, Western Sydney University, Explore Youth Researchers and the Centre for Multicultural Youth.
Internal
- Professor Amanda Third
- Professor Philippa Collin
- Ms Louisa Welland
- Dr Pavithra Rajan
External
- Professor Anita Harris (Deakin University
- Dr Kim Lam (Deakin University)
- Dr Sherene Idriss (Deakin University)
- Dr Melathi Saldin (Deakin University)
- Soo-Lin Quek (CMY)
- Jess Case (CMY)
- Edmee Kenny (CMY)
- Komal Grewal (Explore Youth Researcher)
- Alex Lee (Explore Youth Researcher)
- Phuong Nguyen (Explore Youth Researcher)
- David Cao (Explore Youth Researcher)
- Michelle Lim (Explore Youth Researcher)
- Hiruni Walimunige (Explore Youth Researcher)
- Ezatullah Eiwaz Ali (Explore Youth Researcher)
Youth-led project team:
- Sobur Dhieu
- Peter Savat
- Navjot Kaur
- Aliet Agany
- Ayesha Ali
Funding
This project is funded by VicHealth, through its Impact Research Grants initiative and is administered by CRIS.
Streams
Enhancing Health and Wellbeing.
CRIS stream: Youth, Diversity and Wellbeing in a Digital Age.
Period
July 2021 - September 2023
Contact: If you would like to get in contact with the Enhancing Digital Participation Amongst Refugee and Migrant Background Youth team, please email Louisa Welland at l.welland@westernsydney.edu.au.