Project | Digital Homecoming – Investigating Belonging and Ageing in Place among Syrian Older Adults with a Migration Experience in Frankfurt, Germany. |
Host: | Goethe University, Germany |
Main Supervisor: | Prof. Frank Oswald |
Co-Supervisors: | Dr. Anna Wanka, Dr. Friedrich Wolf (Goethe University) |
My name is Roua Shaban, and I am originally from Syria. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from Damascus University, which I completed in 2017. Following my graduation, I worked for three years as a pharmacist, gaining practical experience in the healthcare sector.
Driven by a strong interest in the social dimensions of health, I pursued a master’s degree in Social Work in Health Care in Hungary, which I successfully completed in July 2023. During my studies, I actively participated in voluntary social work and engaged in various self-development and community-oriented projects.
In parallel with my professional journey, I also enrolled in a vocational master’s program in quality management, reflecting my ongoing commitment to interdisciplinary learning and professional growth. My academic and practical experiences have equipped me with a cross-sectoral understanding of health, social care, and quality standards in service delivery.
Currently, I am conducting my doctoral research at the intersection of ageing, migration, and digital technology. My work focuses on understanding the lived experiences of older Syrian migrants in Germany, particularly how digital tools—such as smartphones—shape their everyday practices, sense of home, and belonging. By combining methods such as photovoice, narrative interviews, and app-elicitation walkthroughs, I aim to explore how digital spaces influence the process of homemaking and social connection in later life, within the context of migration and displacement
Title of Project: Digital Homecoming – Investigating Belonging and Ageing in Place among Syrian Older Adults with a Migration Experience in Frankfurt, Germany.
Aim of Project: To gain a deeper understanding of the ageing experiences of Syrian older migrants residing in the German context, specifically in Frankfurt and its surrounding areas. The study also seeks to explore the extent to which digital technology—particularly smartphones—shapes these experiences, with a focus on their sense of home and belonging.
Short description/abstract: While existing literature has extensively explored digital connectedness and the role of digital media in the reconstruction of home for migrants, less attention has been given to how the activity in these virtual environments is integrated in the overall homemaking experience of older migrants. This research seeks to unravel the lived experiences of homemaking among older migrants, particularly within digital spaces. It aims to deepen understanding of how the intersection of ageing, homemaking, belonging, and digital presence is embodied and negotiated in everyday life practices. The study employs a qualitative, multimethod approach, combining photovoice, narrative interviews, and app-elicitation walkthroughs.
Current state of research project:
– Designing the upcoming fieldwork.
– Developing the first publication based on the first fieldwork.
