Current
Can digital technology help tackle loneliness during pandemics? A later life perspective
With Dr Narelle Warren. Funded by Monash Arts & School of Social Sciences.
Alone Together: social connections and technology use of older Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds during COVID-19
With Dr Ruth DeSouza (Lead, RMIT), Prof. Larissa Hjorth (RMIT), Dr Juan Sanin (RMIT), Dr Jenny Waycott (University of Melbourne), Maria Dimopoulos (Victorian Department of Justice and Community Safety), Deidre Ellem, Kate Renzenbrink (Bendigo Health).
AI for Older Australians in Aged-Care Facilities: Challenges and Opportunities
With Prof. Alan Petersen, Dr Mor Vered, Assoc. Prof. Adrian Carter, Assoc. Prof. Kate Seear, & Dr Maho Omori. Funded by the Interdisciplinary Research Support Scheme AI & Data Science.
The Harriet Martineau Project
A semi-annotated bibliography of sociological research on Harriet Martineau’s work (Personal project).
Past
Young People’s Experience with Australian Public Services (2020)
With Dr Brady Robards, Assoc. Prof. Steven Roberts, Prof. Jo Lindsay, Dr Zareh Ghazarian, Dr Jonathan Smith, Dr Jacqueline Laughland-Booy, & Dr Verity Trott. Funded by the Australian Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Robotic Companions for Older People: Identifying the Technological, Social and Ethical Challenges (2018-2019)
With Dr Jenny Waycott, Dr Simon Coghlan, & Prof. Frank Vetere. Funded by the Networked Society Institute (MNSI) Grant.
Active-Virtual Reality for Engaging Older Adults with Dementia in Residential Aged Care (2017-2018)
With Dr Steven Baker (Computer Science), Prof. Frank Vetere (Computer Science), Dr Jenny Waycott (Computer Science), and Dr Ralph Hampson (Social Work). Hallmark Ageing (HARI) Seed Funding & MSE Research Grant.
Social Isolation and Loneliness amongst older Australians (2017-2018)
Awarded the Early Career Researcher Grant, University of Melbourne.
Captured and Captioned: Representing Family Lives on Instagram (2017-2018)
With Dr Signe Ravn and Dr Ashley Barnwell. Faculty of Arts Research Grant, University of Melbourne.
Networked Individualism: A Comparative Study of Social Networks, Digital Media, International Ties, and Privacy (2015-2018)
Led by Professor Brent Berry and Professor Barry Wellman, University of Toronto, Canada. Funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).
InTouch: Technologies to Combat Social Isolation and Loneliness (2014-2015)
Technologies for Aging Gracefully Lab, University of Toronto. With Professor Ron Baecker (Funded by NSERC, National Research Council Canada, industry partners).
ALLT: Large-print Listening and Talking ebooks (2014-2015)
Technologies for Aging Gracefully Lab, University of Toronto. With Professor Ron Baecker and Assistant Professor Cosmin Munteanu.
Use and Challenges of NICE (National Initiative for the Care of the Elderly) Pocket Tools (2014-2015)
Technologies for Aging Gracefully Lab, University of Toronto. With Professor Ron Baecker and Assistant Professor Cosmin Munteanu. (Funded by SSHRC, National Research Council Canada, NICE).
EPIteen24: A longitudinal study of a cohort born in 1990 in Portugal (2013-2015)
This longitudinal study examined life course trajectories of a cohort of individuals born in 1990 (interviewed at 13, 17, 21, & 24 years of age). My WP analyzed how social capital is used and mobilized over time, especially in a time of financial & economic crisis. This project was coordinated by Professor Anália Torres (ISCSP-UTL). Funded by the Foundation for Science & Technology. Project Website.
European Union – Sustainability & Efficient Use of Resources: Survey, Debates, & Dissemination (2013-2014)
This project explored the themes of re-industrialization, sustainable development, green economy, energy sustainability, and education for the sea. It was funded by the Center Jacques Delors (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), European Union. Final report here. Project Website.
The non-aligned: Young non-users of social networking sites (2012-2013)
Despite the pervasive use of social networking sites among young people, there is a minority of young non-users. These non-users are often not given voice in research, since much attention is given to the majority of users and their practices. This study explores identities and social performances of non-users (18-26 years old) through 30 semi-structured interviews.
Internet and Social Capital (2008-2011)
My doctoral research examined if Internet usage was associated with social capital among a representative sample of people living in Lisbon, Portugal. PhD grant by the Foundation for Science and Technology – FCT.
Too old for technology? (2008-2011)
This project studied adoption, use, and perceptions of ICTs (mobile phones, computers, and the Internet) among a representative sample of 500 older adults (65+) living in Lisbon, Portugal. This study was coordinated by Professor Fausto Amaro and funded by UTL/Santander Totta Scientific Prize.
Digital Governance Worldwide/ 100-City E-Government Website Survey (2005-2009)
I conducted surveys for the digital governance projects coordinated by the E-Governance Institute of Rutgers University: Digital Governance in Municipalities Worldwide (2005); Digital Governance in Municipalities Worldwide (2007); U.S. Municipalities E-Governance Survey (2008); Digital Governance in Municipalities Worldwide (2009).
Digital Cities and Citizenship (2005-2007)
This was my M.A. research: a longitudinal study of two Portuguese digital cities, Gaia Global and Aveiro Digital (2005-2007). The main aim was to analyze if these digital cities could promote active citizenship (in an ontological perspective of action) and act as a catalyst for local development. The results showed that these digital cities attempted to enable citizenship by promoting essential elements for its exercise such as making information and services available, facilitating interaction between citizens and the government, and improving the digital literacy of citizens. But, they were not yet a truly bi-directional platform: they only provides limited information and services that would facilitate public participation, and restricted intervention and debate between citizens, the community, and those who governed them. They seemed to have, nevertheless, some impact on the social and economic development of their city/regions. Their initiatives to fight info-exclusion and bridge the digital divide were successful, namely the Internet Space projects. They wired the city, delivered information and e-services, helped local enterprises to introduce ICTs into their back and front offices, and provided digital training to members of the community. Grant by the Foundation for Science and Technology – FCT.
Public Administration and Competitiveness in a Compared Perspective (2005-2007)
I analyzed the implementation and development of e-government initiatives in three countries of the European Union: Portugal, Spain, and Ireland. I examined specific case studies and used two indicators to assess their e-government level: online sophistication and availability online. The results showed that Portugal, despite its relative social-economic disadvantage in relation to the other two countries, was more advanced in the e-government sector. The project was coordinated by Professor João Bilhim and funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology – FCT.