Centre for Language Studies, Department of Language and Communication
Dr. Noemi Mena Montes joined the RUNOMI network as part of the sector-plan, focusing on the topic of ‘Migrant Inclusion: Information, Communication, and Development,’ where she contributes her expertise to research and initiatives aimed at enhancing migrant integration through innovative communication strategies.
What is your research about?
As an Investigative Journalist-Researcher, I focus on migration, the media’s portrayal of refugees, and the role of digital platforms in integration. My work aims to uncover systemic barriers that refugees face, highlighting how media shapes public perception and policy. I also emphasize issues like the digital divide, refugee rights, and the power of storytelling in shaping policies that impact migrant communities.
My research focuses on the intersection of migration, communication, and digital inclusion, particularly in relation to refugees and migrants. I examine how digital platforms can serve as powerful tools for empowering migrant communities and fostering their integration into host societies. The digital divide remains a critical barrier, as many refugees and migrants face significant challenges in accessing and utilizing digital resources, which limits their ability to navigate essential services, connect with their communities, and participate fully in society.
What are some of the important issues to your research subject that you would like the world to know about?
A crucial aspect of my research is understanding the systemic barriers faced by refugee women, especially in educational and employment settings. Many refugee women encounter multiple forms of exclusion, from language barriers to cultural misunderstandings, that limit their access to opportunities.
By focusing on participatory research methods and community empowerment, I aim to create more inclusive educational frameworks that not only support refugee women in overcoming these barriers but also empower them to actively shape their own learning and integration experiences. My work emphasizes the importance of addressing these challenges through collaborative, holistic approaches, integrating digital literacy, mental health support, and intercultural understanding as essential components of successful integration.
Selected Outputs
Translocal Lives (2024) Research project exploring migration and translocal connections.
Mena Montes, N., Pagliuca Pelacani, M., & Shaidrova, M. (2022). Using Collaborative Exhibition-Making to Engage with the Representation of Nigerian Women in Palermo: Iloi as a Case Study in the Application of a Participatory ‘Collage Methodology’. Vita e Pensiero, 13 pages.
Alencar, A., Mena Montes, N., & Vicente-Mariño, M. (2021). From fragmentation to integration: Addressing the role of communication in refugee crises and (re)settlement processes. International Communication Gazette, 83(1), 3-8. https://doi.org/10.1177/1748048519883522