Presented by The Melbourne South Asian Studies Group: Anuja Cabraal and Supriya Singh
In this presentation, Anuja and Supriya will discuss the changing nature of identity among the children of parents of Indian descent in Australia. They find that second generation Indian Australians are comfortable with their sense of self. At times they see themselves as Indian and at times they identify with a different group. Their Indian identities often expressed in religious or cultural ways, such as at the temple, through music or dance classes, through language or even with their Indian friends. Their Australian sense of self emerges through work and friendship groups. All those who were asked, said that their sense of home was in Australia, regardless of whether they had ties with family in the home country.
Dr Anuja Cabraal is a sociologist and anthropologist, and currently a researcher with the Graduate School of Business and Law, RMIT University. She recently completed her PhD, which examined three microfinance programs – two based in Melbourne, and one in Brisbane – focusing on the impact the programs had on participants’ social and financial lives as well as the impact on their capabilities. Anuja’s research interests include diasporic studies, and she has also been involved in a research project that explored three different Indian migrant groups in Australia, including first generation, second generation, and recently arrived Indian students.
Prof. Supriya Singh is a sociologist and anthropologist at the Sociology of Communications at RMIT University. She leads the Community Sustainability Program of the Global Cities Research Institute. She is also Deputy Head of Research at the Graduate School of Business and Law and a senior project leader of the Smart Services Cooperative Research Centre at RMIT Business. Supriya brings together expertise in the sociology of money and banking; globalization, migration and remittances; and the use of new communications technologies within the social and cultural context. She was awarded the Jean Martin Prize in 1995 for the best Sociology PhD thesis in Australia, 1993-1995, by the Australian Sociological Association. Her books include Marriage Money: The Social Shaping of Money in Marriage and Banking (1997), The Bankers (1991), The First 25 Years – Bank Negara Malaysia (1984), and On the Sulu Sea (1984). Her forthcoming book with Rowman & Littlefield is entitled Globalization and Money.
Date: Friday 15 July 2011, 5:00-6.15pm
Dinner: The seminar will be followed by dinner at around 7pm at a nearby restaurant within walking distance of Melbourne University. All are welcome!
Venue details: Graduate Seminar Room 2, located upstairs in The Old Arts Building, The University of Melbourne. (see Map)
RSVP: An RSVP is appreciated for booking dinner (an RSVP to the seminar is not necessary). For more information please contact Michelle Hannah, m.hannah2@pgrad.unimelb.edu.au
Email list: To be included on the Melbourne South Asian Study Group emailing list, also contact Michelle Hannah, m.hannah2@pgrad.unimelb.edu.au