Natalie Pang

Educator. Researcher. University Librarian.

Peer-Reviewed Journal Papers

You may find the full list of my research work on this page or at the links below:

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Current Projects

Digital Media and Acculturation of Immigrants in Singapore

Singapore, renowned for its multicultural embrace and open-door immigration policy, exemplified by the annual grant of 15,000-25,000 new citizenships (NPTD, 2021), undergoes demographic shifts due to this policy and a declining fertility rate. While significant research focuses on migration, especially immigrant integration, limited attention is given to the communicative aspects of acculturation, the role of digital media, and its impact on immigrants’ social wellbeing. Digital media becomes a crucial tool for immigrants to negotiate cultural practices and identities, fostering connections and understanding. Questions arise about the role of new media technologies in shaping ethnic and national identity, the networks and spaces immigrants occupy, the communities and family structures formed, and how immigrants contribute to their Singaporean identity. Addressing these gaps, the research project “Digital Media and Acculturation of Immigrants in Singapore” (NUS-IRB-2022-619) conducted by the Centre for Trusted Internet and Community at the National University of Singapore, seeks to unravel acculturation processes, both digital and non-digital, among immigrants and second-generation immigrants through intensive fieldwork and household surveys.

Objectives and Methods

OBJECTIVE 1: COMMUNICATIVE NETWORKS & ACCULTURATION

Chart and theorize the communicative networks and acculturation modalities of immigrants.

  1. What digital platforms do the immigrants use in daily life?
  2. What are the main acculturation processes and modalities for immigrants and second-generation immigrants in metropolitan Singapore?
  3. How do immigrants’ use of digital media relate to their acculturation processes?
  4. What are the differences and similarities between different cultural/social groups’ (i.e., Chinese, Europeans, Filipinos, Indians, Indonesians and Malaysians/EP-SP holders, International Students, migrant workers, permanent residents) media use habit, acculturation strategies, and intentions?
  5. How do the rising Asian video streaming platforms transform the acculturation experiences of immigrants?

OBJECTIVE 2: LIMINAL BODIES

Document and identify key markers of identity and major challenges related to psychological and sociocultural adaptation.

  1. How does immigrants’ use of digital media relate to their psychological adaptation to the host country?
  2. What role does new media technologies play in the formation and construction of ethnic and national identity for immigrants?
  3. What are the key markers of national identity perceived by immigrants and second-generation immigrants?
  4. How do immigrants’ use of digital media relate to their sociocultural adaptation to the host country?
  • What online and offline communities/family arrangements are formed as immigrants acculturate to the society?
  • What are their perceptions of working in Singapore and who intends to stay or leave?
  • How do the digital and physical networks that they occupy affect their perceptions of Singapore and their immigration decisions?

TECHNICAL APPROACH

PHASE 1

IN-DEPTH INTERVIEW

The team has completed fieldwork with 90 interviewees and is currently in analysis stage. The in-depth interview phase recruited participants who represent a good mix of immigrants from different countries, with a range of employment passes and industries. Via the scroll-back interview method, the participants were invited to share their communications and interactions with social networks back in their home countries as well as in Singapore.

PHASE 2

HOUSEHOLD SURVEY

An n=1000 survey which includes dyad interviews capturing a variety of relationships (i.e., immigrants and their networks – this could be a parent-child, husband-wife/wife-husband, partner, siblings, friends) is currently carrying out through our surveyors. The survey includes data on the demography of immigrants, data on their living arrangements, and data on how they network through social media and the physical neighborhoods. 

We are recruiting participants for the household survey now – if you are an immigrant, or in a dyad relationship with one, sign up at this link!

Contact

The Project is approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of National University of Singapore: NUS-IRB ref.no: NUS-IRB-2022-619

Contact:

Gao Xueying (Research Associate)

Centre for Trusted Internet and Community, National University of Singapore

digitalacculturation@gmail.com; +65 86480138