Voices From The Margins Research Project Report

<p dir="ltr">Key research themes and issues of social connectedness, emotional wellbeing, and access to services, important to the RMIT PlaceLab initiative, led to the collaborative project Voices From The Margins with academics from RMIT’s School of Global, Urban and Social Studies including Assoc. Professor Robyn Martin and Dr. Sonia Martin. </p><p dir="ltr">Voices From The Margins examines the experiences of international students during and post?Melbourne’s COVID-19 lockdown period and presents recommendations from international students to improve their wellbeing and lived experience in Melbourne. The global pandemic highlighted the difficulties faced by Melbourne’s international student population and the damaging impact commodification has had on their experience of Melbourne. The better practical support offered to international students by countries such as New Zealand and Canada in response to the pandemic has put a spotlight on Australia’s competitiveness to attract and retain international students. </p><p dir="ltr">While the research recognises the contribution of international students to the Victorian economy, it aims to understand the lived experiences and improve the wellbeing of international students so their social and cultural contributions to education providers and the city can be maximised in a post-COVID Melbourne.</p>