A ‘field transformation and social integration’: Settlement information practices of relocated ethnic minorities with small populations in poverty-alleviation areas of Yunnan, China

Abstract

This study investigates the settlement information practices of ethnic minorities with small populations (EMSPs) who were relocated to poverty-alleviation areas in Yunnan, China. Data were gathered using interviews and surveys. A face-to-face survey was administered to 126 and 147 EMSPs before and after relocation, respectively, focusing on their information needs, acquisition, and sharing. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with 16 relocated EMSP participants to identify the factors influencing their settlement information practices. This study’s findings showed that ethnic characteristics, spatial reconstruction and social inclusion were the primary factors affecting the context of changing living spaces and social communication relationships. Furthermore, the results contribute to a conceptual framework for the settlement information practices of EMSPs and provide valuable insights for research on settlement information practices of newcomer populations across cultures and ethnicities.