Communicating with International Students on Complex Issues: Learning from the ‘International Students and Scams’ Project

Professor Shanton Chang¹, Mr Josh Rebolledo², Ms Huiwen Zhang¹, Associate Professor Catherine Gomes³, Dr Dana McKay³, Ms Jo Cassidy²

¹The University of Melbourne, , Australia, ²The University of New South Wales, , Australia, ³RMIT University, , Australia

This project aimed to understand how to effectively communicate key messages to international students facing the rising incidences of fraud and scams that are targeting them. The International Students and Scams Project was funded through a StudyNSW Partner Projects grant, bringing together the University of New South Wales (UNSW), the University of Melbourne, University of New England, TAFE NSW, StudyNSW, ISANA, the NSW Police Force, Arc@UNSW, UNSW Global and English Australia.

Data for this project was collected in three phases between May and June 2021. In the 3 phases, the team:

1) derived 15 key messages about scams which based on the findings from a prior co-designed survey of international students conducted by NSW Police Force, and in consultation with support service providers;
2) conducted three 90-minute focus groups with international students to refine, alter and clarify the initial 15 key messages to make them understandable and accessible. The groups discussed the understandability of these messages, and how the messages might be shared through social media or other avenues and developed additional messages.
3) translated the messages into Simplified Chinese and a Mandarin speaking focus group was conducted. This focus group sought advice and clarification from Chinese international students on the appropriateness and effectiveness of the translated key messages, and how the messages can be shared by Chinese international students amongst their peers.

This presentation will unpack the final messages and provide insight into the nuances of communication on this challenging subject.

Biography:
Shanton Chang is a life member of ISANA and a Professor of Information Behaviour and Information Systems at The University of Melbourne. His research on international students’ information behaviour, and their digital journeys has been published and presented widely. He is currently Associate Dean (International) at the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, The University of Melbourne. He was the Australian Computer Society’s ICT Educator of the Year (2017) and received the National Citation for Excellent Contribution to Teaching and Learning in 2011.