THE STORIES WE TELL:
MOBILE METHODOLOGIES AND MIGRANT KNOWLEDGES
2019-2022
This project explores how migrant knowledges travel across borders and how research methods such as participatory methodologies can travel beyond a research project. We are also adapting this project to better respond to the challenges that migrants are facing under Covid-19. Although community engagement is a challenge in the current context, we recognize that the challenges produced by Covid-19 also speak to the realities of migrant experiences, such as not being able to interact face to face with communities and seeking connection despite physical barriers and through online technologies. Moving forward, this project will explore the mobility of methodologies and consider whether methodologies can travel as readily as stories do.
This project was supported by the Research Grants Council, General Research Fund, Hong Kong.
PUBLICATIONS
Ham, J., Lin, V.W. & Sunuwar, M. (2022). Migrating methods in a pandemic: Virtual participatory video with migrants in Hong Kong. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 21, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F16094069221112251
Ham, J., Vicera, C. & Gbadago, J.J. (forthcoming). Developing decolonial aesthetics with migrant domestic worker creative communities. In Bhambra, G., Mayblin, L., Medien, K. & Vigoya, M.V. (Eds.), Handbook of Global Social Theory.
Ham, J. (forthcoming). Anti-pandemic measures, labour rights and the legibility of harm in domestic work. In P. Davies & M. Rowe (Eds.), A Criminology of the Domestic.
The Migrant Writers of Hong Kong, Guhit Kulay and Lensational are collaborating on an anthology titled Ingat, a collection of domestic workers’ writing, artwork and photography.
WORKSHOPS
THE WRITER'S TOOLBOX 2 CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOPS
JANUARY- JULY 2022
The Writer's Toolbox 2 is the second workshop series hosted by the project, 'The Stories We Tell' for the Migrant Writers of Hong Kong in collaboration with The Be/Longing Project Hong Kong. Workshops were facilitated by Yvonne Yu over Zoom and in the Black Box Theatre at the University of Hong Kong. Workshops featured participants' creative writing in memoir, historical fiction, spy thrillers, social realism, magic realism, mystery/suspense, and contemporary fiction.
VISUALIZING SOCIAL JUSTICE WORKSHOPS
June 6, July 6 & 13, August 8 & 22, September 19, October 3, 10 & 24, 2021
Lensational is hosting a series of workshops from June to October as part of their academy aimed to help domestic workers be more knowledgeable on social justice issues and share their stories through impactful images. The academy is also aimed to help the domestic workers develop transferable digital skills that they could use to build up their future careers when they return home.
To learn more about Lensational, click here
CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOPS
July 11 & 25, August 8 & 22, 2021
The Writer's Toolbox is a series of workshops from July to August hosted by the The Stories We Tell project for the Migrant Writers of Hong Kong in collaboration with The Be/Longing Project Hong Kong and the Center for the Study of Globalization and Cultures (CSGC).
MOBILE MEDIA MAKING WORKSHOPS
November 29, December 6 & 13, 2020
Dr. Vivian Lin from Voices of Women Media guided participants through participatory video techniques on their mobile phones. Check out participants’ videos in our online exhibition!
"...the videos made by the participants are so diverse in terms of the stories that they told. They were so generous to share their day-to-day life with us that in the videos we could easily sense their emotions, which are very intimate."
Jimmy Lo, Volunteer
NARRATIVE WRITING WORKSHOPS
November 29 & December 6, 2020
This 2 day workshop introduced the genre of narrative essay. Participants reflected on major life events and the lessons they have learned to write their own short pieces. Check out participants’ writing in our online exhibition!
"I was pleasantly surprised with the honesty that was shown by the participants throughout the entire workshop and the stories not only moved me but gave me a unique insight into the life and hardships of a domestic helper which I believe needs to be voiced more than it currently is. I was honored to be a part of this workshop and considered myself lucky that the participants were willing to share their life stories."
Suvir Sujanani, Volunteer
PAST EVENTS
FILM SCREENING AND CHATS OVER CHA: WE DON'T DANCE FOR NOTHING
25 JUNE 2022
A film screening of We Don’t Dance For Nothing was followed by a Q&A with the director, Stefanos Tai; actors, Xyza Cada and Miles Sible; and domestic worker creatives, Terenia Puspita, Indonesian filmmaker and photographer, and Maria Nemy Lou Rocio, co-founder of Migrant Writers of Hong Kong. A Chats Over Cha discussion forum on race and representation for minority communities in Hong Kong was facilitated by Christine Vicera, founder and co-director of be/longing.
COLLABORATORS
