The Impact of Opportunity: Reflections of a TASA 2024 Bursary Recipient by Simone Marino
I am incredibly grateful for the support that TASA (The Australian Sociological Association) has provided me. Navigating the challenging landscape between academia and industry can often feel like traversing two almost antithetical oceans. However, this experience aligns perfectly with the bursary I received for Sociology in Action, which highlights the importance of practical engagement within sociological research; ‘being there’. TASA's support for attending the conference has been invaluable.
My project, Comusichiamo (“Let’s make music together”), codesigned at the ECU SAGE Lab under the supervision of Professor Loretta Baldassar, is now also supported by Professor Narelle Lemon from the ECU School of Education.
Figure 1 Presenting at TASA 2024
This project aims to enhance the well-being of elderly migrants with dementia through music and narrative engagement, addressing the urgent needs of culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) populations.
Comusichiamo seeks to advance Australian sociology by exploring non-medical approaches in dementia care. While the medical model is well-established, it often overlooks the specific needs of migrant populations. By integrating a culturally sensitive approach with music and narrative theory, my research also can offer new insights and evidence-based recommendations on cultural safety in dementia care.
During the conference, I received positive feedback on my presentation, which reflected the significance of my work. It was also a joy to demonstrate my music and narrative engagement interventions live during the lunch break, where I aimed to restore presence, dignity, and a sense of belonging to my participants.
I would like to express my gratitude to my supportive colleagues, including Dr. Manonita Ghosh, who encouraged me while I performed, Dr. Catriona Stevens for her prompt assistance, remotely and in loco, and Dr. Donna Butorac from Curtin. Thank you once again to TASA, in particular Sally Daly and Penny Toth for supporting me. I look forward to keeping the sociological community updated on my research and its impact.