Thesis abstract:

«p»I am a settler coloniser on the lands of the Darug people. My research is conducted on the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation as well as on the lands of the Darug People. I pay my respects to Elders Past, Present and Emerging on the traditional lands on which I conduct my research.«/p» «p»My PhD research focuses on the lived experiences of individuals, families and communities who use food poverty relief services in the Blacktown LGA and Penrith LGA. It is commonly accepted that food poverty has become a salient social issue in the Global North, and Australia is not immune from the growth of food poverty. Increasingly food poverty are markers of poverty and social exclusion and inextricably linked to stagnating wages, labour market casualisation & the precariousness nature of employment, the low rates of social security payments and housing precariousness. Food Poverty relief services are quite broad in the types of services that are delivered. These can include food parcels, food pantry services and direct meal provision through food vans.«/p» «p»Increasingly, Christian Faith Based Organisations are providing these food poverty relief services across Australia, and in Western Sydney in particular. These services are delivered in many ways including through door-to-door services; via community centres and through food vans located in urban parks and spaces.«/p» «p»However, there is no research that examines the lived experiences of those who use these services in Western Sydney. My research will draw on a qualitative research methodology and methods, that empowers those with lived experience who wish to take part in the research, and I would work with Organisations as partners in my research. Also, qualitative methods such as semi-structured interviews; photo-elicitation; photo-voice and visual ethnography will be used «span style="color:black"»to learn about people’s lived experiences and to work with and empower those with lived experience in the research process.«/span»«/p» «p» «/p»