Dr Ben O'Mara's postdoctoral work at ICEPA builds on the work of ICEPA's VicHealth Discovery Project which will research innovative uses and applications of multimedia technologies in communicating messages of health and community wellbeing to culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. He was formerly the ICEPA Administrative and Communications Officer and his research builds on his practical experience of working with CALD Communities and ICTs at Victoria University, and as a freelance writer and independent filmmaker. He has been published in a variety of Australian newspapers, magazines and websites. Short films he has written, produced and directed have played at festivals across Australia.
Of particular importance to Dr O'Mara's postdoctoral work is the exploration of community and participatory driven models for the uses and application of technology. This research will help to inform and provide models of ICT practice which have an explicit and tacit understanding of cultural knowledge when working with people of other cultures. Additionally, in order to communicate messages of health and wellbeing to CALD communities, many factors need to be considered in relation to how communication is received, such as type of language, space/place, cognitive/thought processing and non-verbal communication techniques. Communication content is also influenced by cultural understandings relating to religion, community identity, isolation, confidentiality and degree of trust in mainstream society. This research project will consider these cultural factors and explore how ICT and multimedia platforms can be developed and used in culturally sensitive and strategic ways to communicate with CALD communities.
In 2006 Ben was awarded his PhD in Professional Writing at Deakin University. His thesis was comprised of a young adult novel and exegesis that explored alternative masculinities for young people.
Research Interests
- Health and community wellbeing, ICT/multimedia and CALD communities
- Reflective filmmaking practice
- Writing for the screen
- Creative writing, racism and cultural diversity
- Creative non-fiction
- Short fiction
- Art and social change
- Masculinity, femininity and gender identity
Recent Publications: Non-Academic
Column: 'Grandad still worth gold to me', The Herald Sun, 25 August, 2008. http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24233501-5000117,00.html
Opinion Editorial: 'iPhone junkies fuel 'techsclusivity'' Vol 18, No 16, 2008. http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=8380
Column: Something Personal, 'Home is Where the Heart Is', The Age, 26 September, 2007.
Column: Something Personal, 'Mother Download: Facing the Music ', The Age, 26 February, 2007.
Feature article: 'Polar World', Museum Victoria Magazine, 2007.
Lifestyle: 'Be Careful What You Wish For', The Scene, 2007.
Contact Details
Email Ben O'Mara
Ph: +61 (0) 3 9919 4455
Fx: +61 (0) 3 9919 5479
Location: Building K, Level 4, Room K429 (Footscray Park)
Postal Address: PO BOX 14428, Melbourne, VIC, 8001
