Nexus

The Impact of Opportunity: Reflections of a TASA 2024 Bursary Recipient by Mel Powersmith

I had the opportunity to attend the recent TASA 2024 conference, themed Living Now: Social Worlds and Political Landscapes in Boorloo/Perth. I would like to commend the committee for deciding to fund so many delegates with a bursary this year, especially given the economic pressures faced by people in the rental and labour markets, in addition to other challenges and crises both here and globally. This is likely to have made attendance more equitable to people who would otherwise be less able to afford it. I was also kindly offered billeting with a public housing tenant in the city, allowing me a unique look at the city and place attachments. I also heard other people’s stories and some of the history of the area. 

At the conference, my presentation was part of the urban sociology panel. This was a lightly attended session, but nonetheless impactful. My presentation, entitled A critical Phenomenology of ‘Home’ under Social Housing and Welfare Residualisation, gave an overview of early analysis of data from my PhD project. This is a qualitative project, which seeks to look at the direct experiences of those who live in the social rented sector, under tenure residualisation, which is a process encompassing targeting, disinvestment, and stigma. The research looks at how factors associated with residualisation undermine tenants’ sense of home. Crucially, this research provides broader insights into the housing market, the welfare state, and political economy. I come from a positionality of having lived in this sector and having experienced some of the same circumstances as participants. I use this to relate to tenants and to and collect unique and compelling data, to then provide a rigorous analysis on the first-hand experience in these contexts. This coincided well with the theme of this year’s conference. 

The panel and other social events allowed me to connect with researchers at other institutions around the country, as well as the world. It granted people an opportunity to support fellow social scientists and researchers and learn about their projects. Others contributed different perspectives to the gathering. I enjoyed the opportunity we had to have discussions around difficult topics, political outcomes, and current themes in society. The keynotes as well as other smaller and more informal interactions enabled these discussions. There was a generosity in some of the interactions, and I look forward to communicating, sharing ideas, and meeting again. I also deepened connections with people from my own university. It is important for humanities to be supported in times where our skills are relevant but undervalued (e.g. through the ‘Job-ready graduates’ program). Thank you to TASA and all who attended the conference.