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Dr Amanda Wise
BA (Hons) Woll., PhD UWS 
Senior Research Fellow
| Email: | amanda.wise@scmp.mq.edu.au |
|---|---|
| Phone: | (02) 9850 8835 |
| Fax: | (02) 9850 4432 |
| Office: | C5C Research Hub West, Room 377 |
Research Interests
Amanda is an interdisciplinary researcher working at the intersection of sociology, cultural studies and urban anthropology. Her research into issues surrounding multiculturalism and migration draws primarily on ethnographic and qualitative cultural research methodologies.
Her recent research project 'Contact Zones' explored the quotidian dimensions of 'inhabiting diversity' in suburban Australia. She has also undertaken commissioned research to develop community based anti-racism and social cohesion strategies, most recetly involving interventions to improve relations between Muslim and non-Muslim Australians. With Dr Velayutham she has been researching transnationalism in the Tamil diaspora, and is currently working in a project related to this theme looking at short-term migrant workers in a project entitled 'Transnational Affect and the Moral Economies of Temporary Skilled Migration of South Indians to Australia'. This builds on previous work researching issues surrounding exile, translocalism and ethnicity in the East Timorese refugee diaspora.
Amanda’s research interests include multiculturalism; racism and interethnic relations; diasporic, transnational and migrant communities; ethnicities; national and cultural identities; the senses, affect, and embodiment; forms of hope and belonging in urban Australia; cultural attachments and formations of place, hope and belonging in suburban Australia especially in relation to multicultural neighbourhoods; and developing theoretically and ethnographically informed anti-racism and ‘social cohesion’ interventions.
Current Research Projects
Inhabiting Multiculturalism
Inhabiting Multiculturalism is the title of my manuscript in progress. It is an ongoing writing project which explores the nature of quotidian multiculturalism and the implications for how we imagine and manage culturally diverse western societies today. The book explores everyday diversity from various points of view, including; ‘Sensuous Multiculturalism’, Diversity Hope, and Reciprocity; Diasporic vs Local modes of Inhabitance; Riots and other moments of multicultural rupture; The Politics of (In)Civility; Cross-Cultural Habitus; The future of Multiculturalism; and ‘new’ Anti-racisms.
Transnational Affect and the Moral Economies of Temporary Skilled Migration of South Indians to Australia
ARC Discovery with Dr Selvaraj Velayutham – 2006-2008
Engaging Muslim Communities: A research project on community based and local government strategies to promote engagement and dialogue between Muslim and non-Muslim Australians.
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
Building Neighbourhood Harmony: Social Cohesion and Anti-Racism Strategies for Local Government (Phases One & Two)
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
Cultural Diversity, Community and Family Services: Experiences among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse parents of local early childhood services
ARC Linkage project – with Dr M Fine; Mr K Moloney – funding a PhD Student Ms Kylie Sait 2006-2008
Building Bridges back into Community: Capacity Building for a Socially Inclusive Society
Dr M Fine; Prof. Bob Fagan; A/Prof Richie Howitt; Dr Robyn Dowling; Dr Rochelle Spencer; Prof Kevin McCraken; Mr Frank Siciliano
Previous Projects
CONTACT ZONES: Experiences of cultural diversity and rapid neighbourhood change among Anglo-Celtic and long term elderly residents in Ashfield.
The project explored everyday interethnic interactions between Anglo-Celtic elderly, long term migrant groups and new Chinese immigrants to Ashfield. The project employed ethnographic research and interviews on specific 'contact zones' (such as the local shopping street, local clubs and neighbourly relations) to explore both disjunctures and affinities among those living in multicultural areas and how these interactions translate more broadly into perceptions and experiences of multicultural Australia. The project also explored the aesthetic, embodied, sensory and habitual dimensions of living intercommunally, and assessed how age related isolation and change fatigue among Anglo-Celtic residents factored into dispositions of discomfort toward new migrants. The resulting report can be downloaded here.
Community Capacity Building and Cultural Diversity in West Ryde
(City of Ryde) Michael Fine, Amanda Wise, Gillian Vogl, Armen Gakavian, 2005
The resulting report can be downloaded here.
Exile & Return Among the East Timorese
Explored pre and post-exile forms of belonging and identity among East Timorese refugees living in Sydney. Ethnographic fieldwork was conducted in Western Sydney and East Timor. The thesis explored intersections between trauma and politicised exile identities, shifting patterns of East Timoreseness in a post-colonial context, emerging forms of translocalism between Australia and East Timor since independence, and experiences of return to East Timor among long term Australia based Timorese refugees. The Book Can be purchased here.
Publications
Books (single-authored)
Inhabiting Multiculturalism. Manuscript in progress.
2006. Exile & Return Among the East Timorese. University of Pennsylvania Press.
Books (co-authored)
Forthcoming, 2009. (eds.) with Selvaraj Velayutham. Everyday Multiculturalism. Houndsmills, England: Palgrave Macmillan.
Journal Articles
2008. with Selvaraj Velayutham. 'Second Generation Tamils & a Cross Cultural Marriage: Managing the Translocal Village in a Moment of Cultural Rupture', Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies. 34(1) 113—131
Forthcoming. 'Sensuous Multiculturalism: Emotional Landscapes of Interethnic Living in Australian Suburbia', Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies.
2005. 'Hope and Belonging in a Multicultural Suburb', Journal of Intercultural Studies, 26(1/2): 171-186.
2005. with Selvaraj Velayutham. ‘Moral Economies of a Translocal Village: Obligations and Shame Among South Indian Transnational Migrants’. Global Networks 5(1): 27-47.
2004. 'Nation, Transnation, Diaspora: The Transnational Dimensions to East Timorese Political & National Identities', Sojourn: Journal of Social Issues in Southeast Asia, 19(3).
2004. 'Embodying Exile: Protest, Performance, Trauma and Affect in the Formation of East Timorese Refugee Identities', Social Analysis: The International Journal of Cultural & Social Practice, 48(3).
2004. Review of Loretta Baldassar's 'Visits Home: Migration experiences between Italy and Australia', Anthropological Forum, 14(1).
2001. with Selvaraj Velayutham. ‘Dancing with Ga(y)nesh: Rethinking Cultural Appropriation in Multicultural Australia’, Postcolonial Studies, 4(2):143-160.
Book Chapters
2009 (forthcoming) "Everyday Multiculturalism : Transversal Crossings and Working Class Cosmopolitans", in Wise, A & Velayutham S (eds). Everyday Multiculturalism. Houndsmills, England: Palgrave Macmillan.
2008. '"It’s Just an Attitude That You Feel”: Inter-ethnic habitus before the Cronulla riots', in G. Noble (ed.) Lines in the Sand: The Cronulla Riots and the Limits of Australian Multiculturalism. Institute of Criminology Press.
2005. ‘East Timor’, in P. Poddar and D. Johnson (eds.) A Historical Companion to Postcolonial Literatures in English, University of Edinburgh Press.
2003. ‘Embodying Exile: Trauma, Protest & Identity and the formation East Timorese identities in Exile’, in M. Leach and F. Mansouri (eds.) Critical Perspectives in Refugee Policy in Australia, Deakin University Press.
2003. 'On youth, hybridity and the politics of representing the East Timorese community', in M. Butcher and M. Thomas (eds.) Ingenious: emerging youth cultures in urban Australia. Sydney: Pluto Press.
Exhibition Catalogues and Research Reports
2007 MUSLIM-AUSTRALIANS & LOCAL GOVERNMENT: Grassroots strategies to improve relations between Muslim and non-Muslim-Australians. (300 pages) Report to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. Centre for Research on Social Inclusion, Macquarie University.
2006. 'Building Neighbourhood Harmony: Strategies for Local Government'. Report prepared for the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.
2004. 'Contact Zones: Experiences of Cultural Diversity and Rapid Neighbourhood Change among Anglo-Celtic and Long-term Elderly Residents in Ashfield'. Report to Ashfield Council, October 2004.
2001. 'Leaving the Crocodile: The Story of the East Timorese community in Sydney'. A 45 page exhibition catalogue, published by the Liverpool Regional Museum & the Centre for Cultural Research.
Recent Conference Papers, Keynotes and Seminars
2007. 'Multiculturalism From Below: Transversal Crossings and Working Class Cosmopolitans'. Presented at the COMPAS annual Conference, University of Oxford, UK, 5-6 July. Presentation is available.
2007. (with S. Velayutham, eds.) Everyday Multiculturalism Conference Proceedings. Sydney: Macquarie University.
2006. (with with S. Velayutham) ‘Transnational Affect and the Rebellious Second Generation: Managing Shame And Pride In A Moment Of Cultural Rupture’, Asia Research Institute working papers series no. 65. Singapore: National University of Singapore.
2006. 'Multiculturalism From Below: Transversal Crossings and Working Class Cosmopolitans'. Presented at the European Association of Social Anthropologists, Bristol University, UK, 18-21 September.
2006. (with S. Velayutham) ‘Towards a Typology of Transnational Affect’, Centre for Research on Social Inclusion Working Papers Series no. 04. Sydney: Macquarie University.
2006 (with S. Velayutham). 'Towards a Typology of Transnational Affect'. Presented at the International Geographical Union, QUT, Brisbane 3-7 July 2006.
2006. 'Fear and Loathing in the Suburbs'. Keynote Panelist at the Future Melbourne Symposium, 20 July 2006.
2006. 'Building Neighbourhood Harmony: Strategies for Local Government' - Plenary Address. Place, Power and Privilege: the Challenge for Local Government. Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre.
2005. 'Sensuous Multiculturalism: The embodied habitus and interethnic living in Ashfield'. Seminar paper presented to University of Sydney Gender Studies seminar series.
2005. 'Contact Zones: Experiences of cultural diversity and rapid neighbourhood change among Anglo-Celtic and long term elderly residents in Ashfield'. Transformations: Culture & the Environment in Human Development. Australian National University.
2004. '"You wouldn't know what's in there would you?": The quotidian experience of Chinese language signs among Anglo working class elderly'. Presented at Cultural Studies Association of Australasia Annual Conference, Perth, December 9-11.
2004. (with M. Fine and N. Smith) Mobile Boundaries Rigid Worlds Conference Proceedings. Sydney: Macquarie University.
Professional Societies & Editorial Boards
- Australian Sociological Association
- European Association of Social Anthropologists
- Managing Editor of Communal/Plural: Journal of Transnational and Cross-Cultural Studies (2000-2002)
Teaching & Supervision
Amanda taught for several years in cultural studies, sociology and anthropology at the University of Western Sydney, UTS, ANU and, more recently, Macquarie University where she has lectured on refugee studies, globalisation, transnational relations, ethnicity and diasporas.
Amanda currently supervises five PhD students undertaking research in areas such as racism, multiculturalism, migration, transnationalism, ethnicity and identity.
Consulting and Advisory work
- Member Ashfield Council Local Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Committee.
- Developed anti-racism and community harmony/social cohesion strategies for the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs
- Conducted workshop for the Central Sydney Area Health Service (participants are health and welfare professionals - social workers, suicide prevention officers, nurses, working in the inner-west) on the topic of aging, urban change and diversity.
- Provided advice and guidelines to Community Relations Commission of NSW for a program of awards for volunteering and community service among NSW ethnic communities, and a separate award program for service to the Chinese community of NSW.
- Provided advice to the Fair Go Australia anti-racism initiative and developed guidelines for a national anti-racism awards program.
- Produced an education kit on the East Timorese community which is presently in primary and secondary schools in Western Sydney.
- During 2000-2002 produced a major community cultural development and exhibition project entitled 'Leaving the Crocodile: The Story of the East Timorese Community in Sydney'. It included 12 months of workshops with Timorese youth culminating in an exhibition detailing the history of the Timorese community in Sydney.