An interview with Dr. Kaltrina Kusari, the AIRP Partnership’s newest postdoctoral fellow

By Kaltrina Kurasi and Margaret Ovenell

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I grew up in Kosova and have been shaped by the care and love of two wonderful parents and the support of my three siblings. A key event that has shaped who I am was the 1999 war in Kosova, during which my family was persecuted by the Serbian regime because we were Albanian. The war was my first experience of displacement. Shortly after the war, I was awarded a high school scholarship and moved to Arizona, USA to complete my secondary education. I later moved to British Columbia, where I completed my undergraduate degree, and then to Calgary, Alberta where I completed both my Master’s and PhD in Social Work at the University of Calgary.

My experiences of displacement and migration have impacted my career as well. My research focuses on the experiences of refugees and return migrants (migrants who return permanently to their country of origin), especially those who are rejected asylum. In addition to my own research, which mostly focuses on the displacement experiences of Kosovars, I have been involved with a research project which analyzes the experiences of refugees in Canada. Since finishing my PhD, I have taught as a sessional instructor at University of Calgary, served as a subject matter expert and trainer for social service agencies which serve immigrants and refugees in Alberta, and worked as an international consultant for several nongovernmental organizations in Kosova.   

How did you get involved with the AIRP-VABE Partnership?

After I finished my PhD, Dr. Christine Walsh told me about the AIRP-VABE Partnership, and I was curious to learn more. I had previously worked on research projects which focused on older adults who experience homelessness. After hearing about the wonderful work that this Partnership has done for the past 4 years, I was very much interested in getting involved as a postdoctoral fellow.

What sparked your interest in working with older adults and homelessness? 

In 2015, I was involved in a research project which used photo-voice to document the experiences of older adults who are immigrants and experience homelessness and/or housing insecurity. Ever since, I have been acutely aware of how age intersects with other cultural identities to impact one’s chances of experiencing homelessness. With the recent increase in homelessness, I have often thought about the stories study partners shared with the research team in 2015, and wondered how the current situation is impacting older adults who experience homelessness. Being part of this project gives me a chance to not only learn about their experiences, but potentially contribute to knowledge translation, so that future practices and policies can better address the needs of this population.

What will be the focus of your research in your time with the AIRP-VABE Partnership? 

As I am joining the team after the data has been collected, my focus will be on data analysis. I am rooted in critical theories, especially postcolonial and transnational feminist theories, and my goal is to apply these theories to the data analysis process. Specifically, I will be interrogating how gender and experiences of displacement as well as histories of migration impact older adults who experience homelessness.

What are you most looking forward to as you begin your time with the AIRP-VABE Partnership?

The AIRP-VABE team has collected so much insightful data, and having access to such data feels like a true privilege. I am excited to immerse myself in the data and figure out how this data can help us better address the needs of both older adults who experience homelessness as well as service providers serving this population.

Can you share something interesting about yourself that isn't on your resume?

Hiking with friends is my happy place! I met my husband while on a hike in Albania and we’ve continued to adventure together for the last decade, enjoying hikes in Albania, Kosova, and Canada.