Aparna Hebbani

Communicating One's Way to Employment: A Case Study of African Settlers in Brisbane, Australia

This paper reports findings of an Australian study on cross-cultural communication and employment of several African birthplace groups of former refugees. The study was conducted in the greater Brisbane area in 2009–10 and collected both quantitative (based on a short questionnaire) and qualitative (based on 12 focus groups) data. Drawing on the uncertainty reduction theory (URT), the segmented labour market theory (SLMT) and Bourdieus concepts of linguistic and cultural capital, the paper focuses on cross-cultural communication aspects of job search (particularly the job interview situation), the workplace (communication with supervisors and co-workers) and overcoming linguistic and cultural obstacles in building bridging social networks. Existing power relations that structure the communication process, especially the ‘symbolic power’ aspect of Australian ethnic relations, are the context of our analysis. We also report on gender differences that additionally structure these processes in the job search and workplace contexts.

Facebook in the university workplace

Access to social network sites (SNS) in the workplace has been much debated. While some consider SNS a distraction, others consider them a tool for professional socialisation and that recreational access positively impacts satisfaction. This exploratory study reports results from an online survey of employees from one faculty of an Australian university, exploring how they used Facebook at work and how they would react to a hypothetical Facebook ban. Three-quarters of respondents used Facebook at work, primarily for personal socialisation during breaks. Many self-imposed a strict personal/professional separation, but opposed a hypothetical SNS ban, perceiving it as an infringement on their workplace autonomy. It is argued that university employees – academic and professional – can be trusted to self-regulate access.

Exploring Media Platforms to Serve the Needs of the South Sudanese Former Refugee Community in Southeast Queensland

Community broadcasting is being displaced by digital media, the Internet, and associated technologies and the need for migrant and former refugee communities to own and control their own media remains strong, especially in response to persistent stereotyping on the part of mainstream media. We present results of a study undertaken with the South Sudanese community in Southeast Queensland to explore the needs, uses, and possibilities of online media. Focus groups with 31 Sudanese men and women indicated that they saw a need for a Sudanese community website that would assist the community with integrating into mainstream society, promoting the positive contribution made by the community to Australian society, as well as with maintenance of their own cultures and languages.

Methodological and Ethical Challenges in Partnering for Refugee Research: Evidence From Two Australian Studies

ABSTRACT In this article we reflect on methodological and ethical challenges encountered while conducting two large, nationally funded studies on refugee resettlement in Australia. We focus on collaborative research partnerships, specifically with “industry partners,” wherein the partners may have different understandings of the research process and different agendas, and with bilingual research assistants. We analyze methodological challenges primarily pertaining to collecting good-quality data in cross-cultural contexts and ethical challenges concerned with ensuring confidentiality in recently arrived, tightly knit communities where community insiders assisted in accessing respondents and collecting data.

Refugee Parents’ Communication and Relations With Their Children: Development and Application of the Refugee Parent-Child Relational Communication Scale

ABSTRACT The study had two goals: First, a 20-item “Refugee Parent-Child Relational Communication Scale ” was developed for parents from refugee backgrounds. Former refugee parents from Ethiopia, Congo, and Burma (= 221) completed this and other questionnaires measuring demographics, acculturation, and acculturative stress. Exploratory factor analysis indicated three factors: “Engagement,” “Hope and Aspirations,” and “Dissonance.” The subscales were internally consistent. Second, this newly developed scale was used to explore whether the parents’ communication and relations with their children were associated with demographics, acculturation, and acculturative stress. Results of multiple regressions indicated that mothers and parents with higher acculturation were more engaged with their children and also encouraged their children to aspire for higher goals in life. Although parents with higher acculturative stress were also developing aspirations and hopes in their children; they reported strained relations with their children. Parents from the Congo scored higher on dissonance, indicating some problematic communication with their children.

Does employment status vary by demographics? An exploratory study of former refugees resettled in Australia

ABSTRACT This study examined the associations between employment status and demographic factors of former refugees from Ethiopia, Burma, and Democratic Republic of Congo resettled in Australia. Two hundred and twenty-two participants completed a survey, following which chi square analysis was conducted. The results indicated that country of origin, gender, education, English language proficiency (i.e., speaking, reading, and writing), and length of stay in Australia, were associated with being employed. Ethiopians, who had been in Australia for a longer duration, were more likely to be employed. Participants from Burma, whose resettlement was relatively recent, were focused on upskilling themselves. Education qualifications were associated with likelihood of securing employment. A moderate level of education, compared to high or low, provided participants more chances to gain employment. These outcomes help in understanding the employment-related experiences of individuals from a refugee background. Implications and future directions are discussed. IMPLICATIONS Employment is fundamental to successful integration of refugees. Country of origin, gender, education, English language proficiency, and length of stay are associated with employment for former refugees in Australia from Ethiopia, Burma, and Democratic Republic of Congo. Understanding these factors can assist stakeholders to better focus their efforts when working with these populations.