“immersion in the community”

In my role as an applied anthropologist, besides that of a lecturer at the University of Malta, I seek to facilitate safe spaces along with colleagues interested in community-building. Just like good infrastructure and housing, food can be an enabler for dialogue, interaction and cohesion. The above video is from Breakfast on a Bridge which was held on a bridge between Marsa and Ħamrun in 2018. Both are inner harbour towns at the outskirts of Valletta and have experienced fast social transformations. The food activity emerged from the legacy of the Valletta 2018 Research Team where food walks were held in Ħamrun and Marsa in order to understand gentrification and conviviality better. 

As an urban anthropologist my contribution is towards the development of infrastructure that fosters a space for all. To me, urban and planning systems should put people at the centre. My aim is to also open up questions about the importance of our quality of life and wellbeing and its intrinsic value to everyday life. 

Issues of social injustice concern me deeply, hence I seek every opportunity to create awareness – whether at an individual, social or academic level. I believe that change is possible through small steps. As a scholar and public figure, I have an obligation and duty to pass on knowledge. Considering that my profession is about understanding cultural behaviour by talking and listening to people, my goal is to develop and implement policies that are about the real needs, wants and desires of different groups of people. 

My aim is to enable more accessible ways in how to reach the wider public and to understand the realities and issues that matter to each and every person. Every person matters.