Language, Social Networks, and the City

Research in Malaysian sociolinguistics has seen much development pertaining to its concerns over language in its multilingual, multiracial, post-colonial community. The majority of existing literature however tends to lean towards traditional ideologies to explicate the language situation and linguistic patterns taking place within society. As influential as they are, there is a growing need for research to extend and move beyond traditional parameters so as to better explicate the roles and values of language in the increasingly mobile, transnational, diverse communities found in the city. This is certainly true in the historical city of George Town, Penang where exists an eclectic mix of heritage and urbanity – a contest for fluid and fixed notions of identity, culture, traditions, and language. One approach which has been used to contribute towards the study of linguistic patterns is Social Network Analysis. A notable application of analysis network structures is attributed to Milroy (1987), where the following has emerged: close-knit and dense networks are resistant to outside influences whereas loose-knit, weaker network links are embracing of change. This paper therefore aims to explain Social Network Analysis as a framework and method, how it has been applied in previous studies, and the potential it holds to analyse language in contemporary, urban communities as is found in cities like George Town, Penang.

Intentional self-harm in culturally and linguistically diverse communities: A study of hospital admissions in Victoria, Australia

Purpose: To examine the rates and profiles of intentional self-harm hospital admissions among people from culturally and linguistically diverse and non-culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 29,213 hospital admissions for self-harm among people aged 15 years or older in Victoria, Australia, was conducted using data from the Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset between 2014/2015 and 2018/2019. The Victorian Admitted Episodes Dataset records all hospital admissions in public and private hospitals in Victoria (population 6.5 million). Population-based incidence of self-harm, logistic regression and percentages (95% confidence intervals) were calculated to compare between culturally and linguistically diverse groups by birthplaces and the non-culturally and linguistically diverse groups of self-harm admissions. Results: When grouped together culturally and linguistically diverse individuals had lower rates of (hospital-treated) self-harm compared with the non-culturally and linguistically diverse individuals. However, some culturally and linguistically diverse groups such as those originating from Sudan and Iran had higher rates than non-culturally and linguistically diverse groups. Among self-harm hospitalised patients, those in the culturally and linguistically diverse group (vs non-culturally and linguistically diverse group) were more likely to be older, Metropolitan Victorian residents, from the lowest socioeconomic status, and being ever or currently married. Self-harm admissions by persons born in Southern and Eastern Europe were the oldest of all groups; in all other groups number of admissions tended to decrease as age increased whereas in this group the number of admissions increased as age increased. Conclusion: There was considerable heterogeneity in rates of hospital-treated self-harm in culturally and linguistically diverse communities, with some countries of origin (e.g. Sudan, Iran) having significantly higher rates. Some of this variation may be due to factors relating to the mode of entry into Australia (refugee vs planned migration), and future research needs to examine this possibility and others, to better plan for support needs in the culturally and linguistically diverse communities most affected by self-harm. Combining all culturally and linguistically diverse people into one group may obscure important differences in self-harm. Different self-harm prevention strategies are likely to be needed for different culturally and linguistically diverse populations.

Risk Communication and Community Engagement During the Migrant Worker COVID-19 Outbreak in Singapore

In early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore, Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) with large, diverse communities of migrant workers living in high-density accommodation was slow to develop. By August 2020, Singapore had reported 55,661 cases of COVID-19, with migrant workers comprising 94.6% of the cases. A system of RCCE among migrant worker communities in Singapore was developed to maximize synergy in RCCE. Proactive stakeholder engagement and participatory approaches with affected communities were key to effective dissemination of scientific information about COVID-19 and its prevention.

Using Life Story Techniques with Diverse Communities: Lessons Learned from a Focus Group Study

Providing high quality, cost-effective dementia care remains a major health challenge. Life story work, used in residential care settings, helps engage persons living with dementia (PWD) at a low cost with minimal staff burden. LifeBio, one such intervention, is designed to elicit life history data and care preference information through comprehensive life story interviews. LifeBio Memory, an adaptation of LifeBio, utilizes novel speech-to-text technology to process life story data more efficiently. Seven focus groups were conducted to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of LifeBio Memory. Three types of focus groups were held (n=35) and audio recorded: 1) One group of early-stage PWDs (n=5); 2) Two groups of current and former users of original LifeBio (n = 12); and 3) Four groups of residential care staff and directors (n=18). Sessions were transcribed and thematic analyses were conducted. Findings indicated high levels of acceptability and feasibility of LifeBio Memory. Further, a secondary theme emerged signaling the need to prioritize the emotional safety of PWDs participating in life story work. This poster will discuss: 1) the life story interview process, 2) identifying PWDs who would most benefit from a life story program, 3) involving family and staff care partners to identify sensitive topics, 4) interview question design, selection and order, and 5) expanding life story work across diverse communities. Discussion will highlight the importance of protecting the emotional well-being of marginalized communities by identifying potential underlying traumas that could impact the safe delivery of otherwise effective life story interventions.

Dementia-Friendly America Recognition: Strategies for Urban, African American Communities

Dementia-Friendly America is a network of communities across the United States who have committed to a process to support people living with dementia and their caregivers. Through technical support from Dementia Friendly Illinois, CATCH-ON, a HRSA Geriatric Workforce Engagement Program, has identified key characteristics for the 17 communities in Illinois achieving national recognition and for communities that have engaged but not yet achieved national recognition. In addition to communities in rural regions, urban communities with a large number of African Americans residents have necessitated more grassroots engagement than other communities. Partnerships are vital for providing information and education about the movement and for supporting multi-sectoral engagement. This presentation highlights barriers and facilitators in diverse communities, particularly urban African American communities, becoming recognized by Dementia Friendly America.

Coproduction of place and knowledge for ecology with the city

Ecology with the city is a transdisciplinary pursuit, combining the work of researchers, policy makers, managers, and residents to advance equity and sustainability. This undertaking may be facilitated by understanding the parallels in two kinds of coproduction. First, is how urban systems themselves are places that are jointly constituted or coproduced by biophysical and social processes. Second, is how sustainable planning and policies also join human concerns with biophysical structures and processes. Seeking connections between coproduction of place and the coproduction of knowledge may help improve how urban ecology engages with diverse communities and urban interests in service of sustainability.

Circling Communities

<p>There are works of architecture that are concerned with the user and others that are heavily concerned with form. Although the best buildings are concerned with both, it is often that one is compromised for the other. The site for this thesis is contested by four diverse communities; a surf club, a recreational park, a holiday park, and the surrounding houses. In developing a proposal for the site, the aim of this thesis is to explore design processes and formal strategies that will create an architecture concerned with both. Throughout this thesis there are a series of design experiments which view the building from different directions according to the design medium. When using diagrams and mass models I have viewed the building from above (plan). When using a refined drawing technique I have viewed the building from the side (section). I have then used both physical and digital models as a way of translating the two-dimensional views into a three-dimensional building. This shift in design media has revealed that the plan and section can have opposing formal qualities. These qualities, simplicity in plan and complexity in section, have allowed me to address both the social and formal concerns of designing on a site like this.</p>