Helen Forbes-Mewett

Musasizi, Arunachalam and Forbes-Mewett take a sociological approach to explore the complexities of cultural proximity and how it intersects with situational factors such as social, economic and historical events to influence refugee-host relations in Uganda. Drawing on the everyday lived experiences of host community members, cultural leaders, local political and refugee leaders, and relief organisations, including UNHCR, this book examines how cultural affinities between host communities and different refugee groups intersect with situational and structural factors to shape refugee-host relations. The book problematises viewing refugees as a homogeneous group and applies the insider and outsider theory to explore factors that underlie inclusion and exclusion in host communities’ relations with different refugee groups. Some refugee groups not only are socially, culturally and ideologically distant from locals but also practise forms of livelihoods which, in the hosts’ view, threaten economic life in the host communities. The host communities are particularly threatened by the cultural incongruence, which is believed to interfere with their way of life. The book provides knowledge and understanding of the complex and multifaceted nature of refugee-host relations and offers key insights for guiding policy and practice, especially in countries that host large refugee populations. A valuable resource for researchers and academics in sociology, migration and refugee studies, and those interested to understand how cultural proximity influences refugee-host relations and how the diverse nature of refugees shapes their relations with host state and communities.

This book describes the ethnic identity construction involved in ‘being’, ‘feeling’ and ‘doing’ Chinese for multi-generation Australian-born Chinese, who were born and raised in a different social environment. It demonstrates how Chineseness is manifested in a multitude of ways and totally debunks any notion that being Chinese is a simple identity marker. The book shows that while there are commonalities with the American-born, the experiences of Australia-born Chinese are distinct in many ways. This book is a timely and critically examination of the inescapability of Chineseness particularly when social and economic stability is threatened and those in power are looking for a scapegoat.

This book describes the ethnic identity construction involved in ‘being’, ‘feeling’ and ‘doing’ Chinese for multi-generation Australian-born Chinese, who were born and raised in a different social environment. It demonstrates how Chineseness is manifested in a multitude of ways and totally debunks any notion that being Chinese is a simple identity marker. The book shows that while there are commonalities with the American-born, the experiences of Australia-born Chinese are distinct in many ways. This book is a timely and critically examination of the inescapability of Chineseness particularly when social and economic stability is threatened and those in power are looking for a scapegoat.

The New Security places the concept of ‘security’ under the spotlight to analyse its meaning in an original and contemporary context. In so doing, Forbes-Mewett revisits the notion from the perspectives of individuals and communities to understand what security means in our culturally diverse, contemporary society. Chapters highlight the extent of the shift of traditional uses of the term from the established perspective of international relations to a more commonly used concept which now broadly relates to many aspects of peoples’ everyday experiences. Based on empirical studies of security in relation to housing, employment, food, personal security and campus settings in times of perceived heightened risk, this book presents new and different ways of thinking about security to demonstrate how we need to expand the dialogue surrounding the concept. Drawing on empirical research to describe, analyse and reposition the concept of security to have meaning in diverse everyday contexts, this methodological and insightful text will be of particular interest to scholars and students of criminological theory, security studies and sociology.

More than three million students globally are on the move each year, crossing borders for their tertiary education. Many travel from Asia and Africa to English speaking countries, led by the United States, including the UK, Australia and New Zealand where students pay tuition fees at commercial rates and prop up an education export sector that has become lucrative for the provider nations. But the 'no frills' commercial form of tertiary education, designed to minimise costs and maximise revenues, leaves many international students inadequately protected and less than satisfied. International Student Security draws on a close study of international students in Australia, and exposes opportunity, difficulty, danger and courage on a massive scale in the global student market. It works through many unresolved issues confronting students and their families, including personal safety, language proficiency, finances, sub-standard housing, loneliness and racism.