1. Technology’s Refuge: The use of
technology by asylum seekers and
refugees
Leung, Lamp & Emrys’s (2009)
SUMMARY OF THE PAPER
2. Technology’s Refuge: The use of technology by asylum seekers and
refugees
Leung, Lamp & Emrys’s (2009)
A few words…
This paper refers to the use of technology by asylum seekers and refugees to
access information, maintain social connections, and cope with the challenges
of displacement.
Lets have a brainstorming…
Why do you think the technology is useful for refugees?
3. Why is important the communication
with family?
https://www.youtube.com/w
atch?v=RYTo9ItL0zk&ab_ch
annel=DWShift
4. Technology’s Refuge: The use of technology by asylum seekers and
refugees
Leung, Lamp & Emrys’s (2009)
Literature review
• the importance of telephone contact with family members left behind (Luster
et al., 2009 as cited in Leung et. al., 2009)
• access to information using the internet
(McIver Jr and Prokosch, 2002; Howard and Owens, 2002 as cited in Leung et. al., 2009)
• the limitations of existing research
lack of studies that focus on the use of technology by refugees and asylum
seekers.
5. Technology’s Refuge: The use of technology by asylum seekers and
refugees
Leung, Lamp & Emrys’s (2009)
type of research approach qualitative descriptive study
sample 30 refugees and asylum seekers
duration 18 months
location United Kingdom
tools interviews
The research : Methodology
The research question
The experiences and perspectives of refugees and asylum seekers of using
communication technologies during displacement, flight, detention and
resettlement
6. Technology’s Refuge: The use of technology by asylum
seekers and refugees
Leung, Lamp & Emrys’s (2009)
RESULTS
Four main themes emerged from the research:
• technology use and communication practices during conflict and displacement
• technology use and communication practices in detention
•technology use and communication practices during settlement
• relationships, technology and emotional well-being.
https://www.voanews.com/a/new-
technology-helps-stranded-refugees-
in-greece/4032408.html
7. Technology’s Refuge: The use of technology by asylum seekers and
refugees
Leung, Lamp & Emrys’s (2009)
RESULTS
barriers to access to
technology
unreliability of
services
the high
cost of
devices
are limited only to the
technological options available
which makes it difficult to
communicate with relatives and
friends
8. Technology’s Refuge: The use of technology by asylum seekers and
refugees
Leung, Lamp & Emrys’s (2009)
Communication practices
barriers such as language
difficulties, the talk time they
could buy and unequal access to
technology
during the settlement process in
Australia - the learning experiences
in new technologies.
https://www.infomigrants.net/en/post/7841/smartph
ones-lifeline-or-liability
9. Technology’s Refuge: The use of technology by asylum seekers and
refugees
Leung, Lamp & Emrys’s (2009)
the consequences of accessibility to technology
emotional disorders and maintaining relationships with the
family environment become distinct
communication with the family seems to be particularly
critical for the well-being of its members.
Technology is the key to staying in touch with family
especially in cases of frequent travel.
https://www.rand.org/blog/rand-
review/2020/03/the-right-technology-can-
help-refugees-stay-connected.html
10. Technology’s Refuge: The use of technology by asylum seekers and
refugees
Leung, Lamp & Emrys’s (2009)
Conclusions
technology, such as mobile phones and the internet, play a crucial role in
helping them stay connected with family and friends, access information
about their legal status, and find employment and housing. The use of
technology, therefore, has a vital role for refugees both for access to
information but mainly for communication issues.
11. References
Leung, L., Lamb, C. F., & Emrys, L. (2009). Technology’s Refuge: The use of
technology by asylum seekers and refugees. UTS Shopfront Monograph
Series: Broadway NSW.
