Hi Everyone,
My name is Hannah Gordon and I’m a PhD Student at the University of Melbourne, based at the Peter McMullin Centre on Statelessness in the Law School. My research explores how statelessness is defined and experienced by stateless and formerly stateless activists, aiming to centre those directly affected by statelessness as the true experts on statelessness.
For this project I am interested in speaking to activists who are or have been stateless. This could be an official position – you might have travel documents or official recognition from a government or the UN – or an unofficial position – you might not have been officially recognised as stateless, but you might consider yourself stateless (or formerly stateless). Similarly, this project does not adopt a strict definition of ‘being an activist’, you don’t need to be working in a professional or paid capacity. Rather I’m interested in talking to you if you identify as an activist, as someone who believes in political and social change and takes part in activities to make this happen.
I'm really interested in research participants engaging with this project in whatever way they feel comfortable. This could be an interview (online), but if this is not something you are interested in, I am happy for you to point me towards and pieces of writing or art that you (or others) have created that you think relates to my core question. I'm also really happy to just have an informal chat about the project if this is what you would prefer. You will be reimbursed for your time (via a gift card) in alignment with the Melbourne Social Equity Institute’s Guidelines for Equitable and Fair Remuneration for Community Research Participants (you can see the guidelines here).
This project seeks to understand the diverse ways statelessness is experienced and conceptualized by activists worldwide. By emphasising differences in experiences and perspectives, the research seeks to challenge existing assumptions and build theory directly from the insights and lived reality of stateless and formerly stateless activists.
There is more information in the attached Plain Language Statement.
If you are interested in participating in an interview, or would like to chat further about the project, we can arrange a time to meet online.
If there are any further details about my project you would like please let me know. I can be reached at gordon.h@unimelb.edu.au or on WhatsApp or Signal on +61 400 196 275.
Kind regards,
Hannah Gordon
