SPEAKER

Dr Charishma Ratnam, Monash Migration and Inclusion Centre, Monash University

Topic

Charishma will present findings from a recent project that examined how key stakeholders are using technology to communicate and engage with diverse communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a consequence of lockdowns and other restrictions, governments, non-government organisations, community organisations, and community leaders, rapidly transitioned their service delivery and practices to online and digital platforms. For organisations working directly with diverse communities, this transition highlighted that some individuals remained digitally excluded.

The research team interviewed 23 stakeholders who work directly with diverse communities in Victoria and nationally. The interviews uncovered shifts in program and service delivery methods, insights about technologies and digital platforms, and opportunities and challenges that have emerged from the rapid transition to online communication and engagement.

Charishma will discuss key findings from the research and offer relevant, immediately applicable next steps for stakeholders to consider as they continue their active and digital engagement with diverse groups.

About the speaker

Dr Charishma Ratnam is a Research Fellow at the Monash Migration and Inclusion Centre (MMIC), Monash University. Her research spans a number of areas, including refugee experiences, migrant settlement, inclusion, and home-making practices. Charishma is currently working on multiple research projects, including: an analysis of how regional/rural areas have diversified over the last 20 years across Canada, Europe, and Australia; she is also working with Sri Lankan migrants to better understand how they use public spaces in Sydney and Melbourne; and Charishma is also collaborating with colleagues at MMIC to examine how organisations can adopt digital engagement strategies with diverse communities.