Sikh British Panjabi Researcher,
Photographer and Poet
Based in West London, United Kingdom
Contact: E: ar832@kent.ac.uk
Current PhD Project - PUCHNA ਪੁੱਛਣਾ (To Ask)
Mental Health Project
'Perceptions and Understandings of Mental Health in Kent’s Sikh Communities: An Ethnographic Study (PUCHNA ਪੁੱਛਣਾ - To Ask)' is a PhD project, funded by NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Kent, Surrey & Sussex and being conducted at the Centre for Health Services Studies, University of Kent. In this project, Aman employs Community Engagement and Involvement (CEI) and ethnographic techniques, immersing herself in Kent's Sikh communities in the UK. Her aim is to understand how Sikhs from diverse backgrounds, including community volunteers and healthcare professionals, perceive mental health and how these perceptions influence their mental health trajectories. This project is guided by a Community Engagement Advisory Board (CEAB) composed of Sikhs from Kent of various ages, occupations, and locations. The PUCHNA CEAB provides insights, advice, and feedback to Aman ensuring the research is culturally sensitive and relevant to the needs of Kents Sikh communities.
Ethnography
Ethnography is a qualitative research method that involves immersing oneself in a community to observe and interact with its members, gaining a deep understanding of their cultural practices, beliefs, and experiences. In PUCHNA, Aman uses ethnographic methods to engage directly with Sikh communities in Kent, by spending time with them in their natural environments. This immersive approach allows her to gather rich, nuanced insights that would be missed through other research methods.
Audio-Visual Research
Aman uses audio-visual methods to capture and present the lived experiences of individuals within Kent’s Sikh communities. By taking photos, videos, and audio recordings, she documents the nuanced expressions and environments that text alone cannot convey. These methods are important because they bring the research to life, making the findings more accessible and engaging for a wider audience. Audio-visual content can foster a deeper emotional connection and understanding, helping to highlight the personal stories and cultural contexts that shape perceptions of mental health. This approach not only enriches the research but also amplifies the voices of the community members, ensuring their perspectives are authentically represented. Aman is a photographer and trained in video production on Adobe Software, DaVinci Resolve and Final Cut Pro.
Poetry
Addressing complex issues like injustice can be challenging to communicate, but for Aman, poetry offers a more accessible and concise medium to convey these ideas. It also allows her to draw inspiration from her roots in Sikhi and Punjabi literature, where poetry is a revered form of expression.