Migration Ethnicity Refugees and Citizenship Research Unit
The Migration Ethnicity, Refugees and Citizenship (MERC) Research Unit (RU), which is located within the Australia Research Institute at Curtin University, in the Faculty of Humanities was established in October 2001.
MERC RU conducts and coordinates research into the historical, economic, social, health, cultural, heritage, ethnic, citizenship and artistic impact of forced and voluntary immigrants to Australia from first contacts with indigenous peoples in 1606. It also brings an overseas, local, state, national and international perspectives to its research focus. Essential elements of MERC operations are community links and service, practical relevance, social justice, ethical behaviour and theory development. MERC RU supports the University's emphasis on cultural diversity and informed respect for indigenous and other peoples. MERC RU was established to increase understanding of the causes and consequences of forced and voluntary migration and the preservation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
MERC RU strives to reach its aims by placing a high priority on:
- Developing collaborative research relationships with government and non-government agencies and the wider national and international community at all levels; this includes,
- Organising conferences, workshops and similar activities aimed at educating its participants in MERC RU's core research areas: migration, refugee, ethnicity, citizenship and the preservation of migrants' cultural heritage;
- Developing, maintaining and continually expanding a comprehensive body of knowledge via the promotion and coordination of research.
- Highlighting and proposing solutions for the challenges posed in a globalising world in which migration and ethnic and religious diversity are evolving as increasingly more important influences. Contributing positively, through research, to the development of a society in which diversity is respected and the contributions made by individuals are valued.
