Dr Carmen Yau

The nutshell of my study on disability is identity politics, self-autonomy and self-agency of people with disability in the current post-covid, fast-changing, digital-saturated context. My research can be categorized into three areas as follows:

The first research area takes a “problem-solving” approach to gain knowledge on the lived experience of disabled people in the light to explore the structures, processes and factors that disable/enable disabled people. Research themes range from domestic violence, health inequality, independent living and other topics related to rights, citizenship and welfare of people with disability. The first research area aims to seek solutions and policy recommendations to advance the rights of disabled people across the globe, in the human rights framework.

The second research area takes a “root cause” approach to reflecting the intersectionality and structural oppression against disabled people. The first research area serves as building blocks to illustrate intersectionality and structural oppression in various contexts. I chose my focus on sexuality and gender of people with disability. My research themes include sex education, sex work/volunteering for/by people with disability, sexual/body exploration and fetishes. The second research area serves as an entry point and strategy to promote a radical change against disablism and identity politics of people with disability.

The third research area takes a “decolonizing” approach to diversify the concept and practice of (dis)ability and well-being. My research focuses on the positive components of well-being including happiness, life satisfaction, faith and hope. These components motivate people to gain self-efficacy and resilience to commit to their life goals, despite facing life uncertainties and unanticipated circumstances in the contemporary world. In this research area, my study on disability should be transferable to other vulnerable communities with vulnerability.