Gender and Sexual Minority Research in the Digital Society

The chapter aims to deepen the theme of the participation of gender and sexual minorities in social research, with a specific focus on the new possibilities offered by the digital society. After defining the concept of “hidden populations” or “hard -to -reach populations,” the contribution focuses on the factors of greatest vulnerability of the LGBT population. Subsequently, the chapter aims to review the literature regarding the barriers to the sampling, recruitment, participation, and involvement of sexual and gender minorities, highlighting some strategies to overcome some of the main barriers, through a plurality of innovative procedures made possible by the so-called digital society.

ECMI Minorites Blog. On Hyphenated Identities

In the spring of 2021, the Danish Borderland Association published the book Danskerne findes i mange modeller – portrætter af 15 unge med bindestregsidentitet by Marlene Fenger-Grøndahl. The book consists of fifteen interviews with young so-called cultural ambassadors of the Borderland Association, as well as essays on the history of the Danish-German borderland and the concept of a hyphenated identity that the young respondents refer to. In minority research, the concept of a hyphenated identity is both used and contested. However, the interviews underline that the concept can serve as an important backdrop for the empowerment of young people with minority identities. This ECMI Minorites Blog entry is written by Garbi Schmidt, professor of Cultural Encounters at Roskilde University.

Ethnic Identity in Transition: the Potential Impact of Ethnicity on Chronic Illness’ Medication Adherence in Post-Soviet Country

Previously, it has been shown that factors like ethnicity and proficiency of state’s official language not only influence self-management abilities and medication adherence but may also indicate the level of trust in physicians, medication, and healthcare system. This research aims to examine the potential impact of ethnicity on medication adherence based on the example of a post-Soviet country. The research was carried out as a quantitative survey among 303 hypertension and type 2 diabetes patients in Estonia, involving participants from ethnic majority and minority. Research was conducted in community pharmacies and data analysed statistically with SPSS. The findings were opposite to previous research. Although members of the ethnic minority used less illness-related sources, these sources relied more on evidence-based medicine compared to the ethnic majority. Because of this, medication adherence was also slightly higher for the ethnic minority compared to the majority. Therefore, these findings indicate trust in medical authorities, their decisions, and recommendations. There was a statistically significant relationship between general and illness-related information-seeking activity; however, medication adherence was not related to information-seeking activity. The research outlines that in addition to ethnolinguistic aspect, also potential cultural influence might determine the trust in medicine and medication adherence.

Deciphering a Strategy to Combat Reiterating Human Trafficking Gangs: A Case Study of the Rohingya Minority in Southern Thailand

Human trafficking has spread across the global and ASEAN regions, including Thailand as the one of members which has several forms of human trafficking. The study found that human trafficking of the Rohingya minority in the southern area has a unique aspect, from the growth of its organization, the process and the enormous volume of income it generates. Aims: This research has explored the roots of human trafficking issues in southern Thailand using case studies of the Rohingya ethnic minority. Research has also searched the connection of Social Security and human trafficking, which can provide solutions in the southern area. There is still no empirical research available about the Rohingya minority’s association with human trafficking issues in the south of Thailand. Qualitative research with in-depth interviews of experienced victims, experts and senior officials was carried out. Place and duration of the study is southern Thailand, from June 2016 to July 2019. Human trafficking has spread across the global and ASEAN regions, including Thailand as the one of members which has several forms of human trafficking. The study found that human trafficking of the Rohingya minority in the southern area has a unique aspect, from the growth of its organization, the process and the enormous volume of income it generates. Aims: This research has explored the roots of human trafficking issues in southern Thailand using case studies of the Rohingya ethnic minority. Research has also searched the connection of Social Security and human trafficking, which can provide solutions in the southern area. There is still no empirical research available about the Rohingya minority’s association with human trafficking issues in the south of Thailand. Qualitative research with in-depth interviews of experienced victims, experts and senior officials was carried out. Place and duration of the study is southern Thailand, from June 2016 to July 2019. The data collection process involved interviews with a semi-private structure and interviews of 19 Rohingya people, law enforcement officers and high‐level security officer, which found that the staff engaged in combatting trafficking had a problem in their knowledge of human trafficking crimes. The problem is they are not aware of Thai transnational crime organizations and their impact on the human rights of people and communities in the southern provinces. Results from the research show a significant key to assisting policy and law enforcement authorities, and also provide alternatives that can help protect people such as Rohingyas and to conduct litigation for those who seek justice. The discovery also builds trust in the Thai government to adjust the application of policy through the theory of security and organized crime related to human trafficking of the Rohingya ethnic minority, and to form up suggestions for policy‐makers that can be used to deal with human trafficking problem in the southern Thailand region.

An Examination of Factors Deterring the Pursuit of Advanced Degrees Among Alumni of a Minority Research and Training Program

Minority research and training (MRT) programs utilize interventions aimed at increasing student persistence toward the completion of undergraduate degrees and continuation into doctoral degrees. Numerous studies identify these support interventions as essential components for positive outcomes among underrepresented students, including research experiences, social integration, mentorship, and financial support. Many of these previous studies utilize quantitative design involving current program participants or program alumni who continued into graduate programs. This pilot study employed a multiple case study with a narrative approach involving partici­pants of an MRT program who completed a BSc degree but did not subsequently ma­triculate into a doctoral program. The cross-case analysis identified perceived barriers deterring continuation into doctoral degree programs among former MRT participants. Results from this study add student voice to the current literature and provide recom­mendations to better serve underrepresent­ed students in the STEM disciplines. Ethn Dis. 2020;30(2):313-320; doi:10.18865/ ed.30.2.313