Dr. Jeff Cohen, OSU, Professor of Anthropology
Dr. Arati Maleku, OSU, Assistant Professor of Social Work
Theme: Immigration and Migration
Title of Talk: "The digital divide among the Bhutanese refugee community during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from a community-engaged research project"
Abstract: The digital divide often refers to the gap that separates populations from access to digital services including the internet. Expanding the conceptualization of the digital divide is critical if we want to develop a dynamic understanding of structural vulnerability that excludes populations from the process of growth and innovation especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Challenges experienced by refugees around the digital divide and in response to cultural differences (including language differences) are underrepresented in the literature, a challenge that is shared by studies of the digital divide and poor, rural, elderly as well as differently-abled communities.
Based on preliminary findings of our ongoing community-engaged research project with the Bhutanese refugee population in the central Ohio region, our presentation discusses barriers and facilitators to digital inclusion, and the position of refugee populations in the digital divide. The presentation will also provide valuable implications on the structure of community-engaged research and interdisciplinary collaboration for pragmatic community impact.
Please note that February 2022 seminars will only be offered in a virtual format.
A reminder that all participants need to register in order to participate in the spring seminar series. The link to the registration is here: https://osu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIqf-GhqDgiG9WdqaEWVPZ5HCi_u9rmSUZp
