Paper Title
EXPLORING NEW MEDIA AND THE CHIN/ZO-ETHNIC BURMESE DIASPORA IN THE US: CONNECTIVITY, IDENTITY, AND COMMUNITY BUILDING

Abstract
The Chin/Zo-Ethnic Burmese diaspora in the United States and around the world, has increasingly been utilizing new media platforms as a means of connectivity, expression, and community building. This paper examines the dynamic interplay between new media technologies and the experiences of Burmese immigrants and refugees in the United States. Through qualitative research methods including interviews, content analysis, questionnaire and participant observation, this study examines how new media, including social media, online forums, and digital storytelling platforms, are shaping the identity formation, communication patterns, and transnational connections within the Chin/Zo Burmese diasporic community. By exploring the diverse role of new media in facilitating cultural preservationand social support networks amongst the immigrants, this research sheds light on the complex intersections of technology, migration, and diasporic experiences in the digital age. Moreover, this study offers insights into the challenges and opportunities posed by new media platforms to raise a sense of belonging and solidarity among the Burmese diaspora while navigating issues of displacement, cultural adaptation, and transnational activism in their host country.