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A Netnographic Study on the Behavior of Muslim Women Immigrants and Refugees in Europe within Immersive Social Virtual Reality Worlds: Cyberfeminist and Social Psychology Approaches

Project description

Immigrant Muslim women navigating identity in virtual reality

Across Europe, Muslim immigrant and refugee women face varying degrees of social exclusion due to ethnicity and/or gender. Despite being a growing immigrant population, their integration remains challenging. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the IMWVR project investigates how Muslim immigrant and refugee women experience and use immersive social virtual reality (VR) environments. Immersive social VR, such as online social media platforms, can both facilitate identity exploration and reinforce marginalisation. Through focus groups and detailed interviews, IMWVR researchers will study Afghan and Iranian women in Italy. Overall, the results will provide insights to inform EU policies promoting social cohesion and digital inclusion.

Objective

This research explores the behavior of immigrant and refugee Muslim women in Europe within immersive social virtual reality (VR) environments. As a significant demographic among global migrants, these women encounter unique challenges in integration, which often lead to social exclusion. Immersive VR platforms offer opportunities for social inclusion, intercultural communication, and identity exploration among diverse marginalized groups, including refugees. However, they also have the potential to perpetuate existing marginalization. Understanding the experiences of these communities is crucial. The research utilizes a comprehensive theoretical framework that combines cyberfeminist theory, Social Identity Theory, and Berry's Acculturation Theory. The primary aim is to comprehend how immigrant Muslim women construct and negotiate their identities in immersive social VR settings, particularly focusing on the interplay of culture, religion, and gender. The study uses netnographic methodology, conducting in-depth interviews and focus groups with a group of immigrant and refugee Afghan and Iranian women residing in Italy. The participants are recruited through interpersonal networks and local community organizations. This research contributes to both cyberfeminist theory and digital identity studies, as well as immigrant studies. Furthermore, the findings of this study are expected to inform the development of more inclusive virtual spaces and guide European Union policies on digital inclusion, ultimately fostering social cohesion.

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HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships

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Call for proposal

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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01

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Coordinator

UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PARMA
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 193 643,28
Address
VIA UNIVERSITA 12
43121 PARMA
Italy

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Region
Nord-Est Emilia-Romagna Parma
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
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Total cost

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