Research Imane Kostet

Abstract

Research shows that ethnic minority groups are less likely to be diagnosed with autism and are generally diagnosed at a later age, often after several misdiagnoses. Moreover, compared to their ethnic majority peers, minority children who are diagnosed have a more severe clinical profile (e.g., higher rates of intellectual disabilities), experience worse trajectories and outcomes, and make less use of social services. While this inequality is evident, little is known about the causes. Drawing on a cultural sociological approach, this study unpacks the cultural factors that explain these autism disparities. I propose to examine how the social categories "autistic people" and "racial/ethnic minorities" are publicly imagined in relation to each other, how people on the spectrum themselves reproduce narratives on autism and its supposed intersection with ethnicity/race; hence, how autism functions as a cultural category in everyday life. Put differently, I will analyze how an "autistic identity" and "autistic culture" is shaped and how these constructions include or exclude minority groups' intersectional experiences.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Kostet Imane

Research team(s)

• Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The central aim of this research is to examine how children with diverse backgrounds construct personal and collective identities in the super-diverse city of Antwerp. How do children describe their differential identities? How do they develop (or not) a sense of belonging in a society that to a large extent seems to reproduce inequalities between different groups? How do these senses of belonging affect their well-being and aspirations? To answer these questions, and to highlight the hardly heard experiences of children themselves, I aim to conduct a qualitative longitudinal analysis of children's identity formation during the age of eleven and thirteen. Employing a cultural-sociological approach - inspired by, among others, Bourdieu's work - I will track the heterogeneous group of children during their transition from primary to secondary education. Three rounds of in-depth interviews and class observations will be held over this period of more than two years. In addition, I will conduct interviews with parents and focus groups with teachers and peers, in order to gain insight into their stimulating or restricting role in the children's differential identity formation.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Verschraegen Gert
• Co-promoter: Clycq Noel
• Fellow: Kostet Imane

Research team(s)

• Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The central aim of this research is to examine how children with diverse backgrounds construct personal and collective identities in the super-diverse city of Antwerp. How do children describe their differential identities? How do they develop (or not) a sense of belonging in a society that to a large extent seems to reproduce inequalities between different groups? How do these senses of belonging affect their well-being and aspirations? To answer these questions, and to highlight the hardly heard experiences of children themselves, I aim to conduct a qualitative longitudinal analysis of children's identity formation during the age of eleven and thirteen. Employing a cultural-sociological approach - inspired by, among others, Bourdieu's work - I will track the heterogeneous group of children during their transition from primary to secondary education. Three rounds of in-depth interviews and class observations will be held over this period of more than two years. In addition, I will conduct interviews with parents and focus groups with teachers and peers, in order to gain insight into their stimulating or restricting role in the children's differential identity formation.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Verschraegen Gert
• Co-promoter: Clycq Noel
• Fellow: Kostet Imane

Research team(s)

• Centre for Research on Environmental and Social Change

Project type(s)

• Research Project