ESRC Research Seminar Series ‘Understanding the migrant experience’, April 2009 – November 2010

 

Researchers at Swansea University’s Centre for Migration Policy Research (CMPR) were awarded an ESRC grant to host a series of one-day seminars which aimed to increase understanding of the migrant experience. The idea for the series arose from a concern to ensure that the evidence on which policy making in the areas of asylum and migration is based includes evidence about the experiences of the principal actors in the migratory process; namely asylum seekers, refugees and migrants themselves, and the families and communities of which they are a part.

The aim of this seminar series was to increase the current level of academic, policy and political interest in the experiences and voices of migrants and migrant communities. It aimed to do so in a way that engaged with - and was reflexive to - the complexity and variety of migrant experiences and engaged directly with the political construction and reconstruction of migrant identities and voices (by academic, policy makers, public bodies, voluntary sector organisations and refugee and migrant groups themselves).

  

 

A summary of the seminar series and briefing papers for each of the seminars is available below:
ESRC seminar series summary

 

Seminar 1 Is there a ‘migrant experience? (April 2009)

This seminar explored the concept of ‘the migrant experience’ from a theoretical perspective. and explored the links between micro-level understanding of ‘the migrant experience’ and macro-level theories and trends.

ESRC seminar 1 programme

ESRC Seminar Series - Briefing Paper 1

 

Seminar 2 Understanding difference; the role of gender, age, class and race in shaping ‘the migrant experience’ (July 2009)

This seminar explored the ways in which different identities and roles shape the experience of migration including in relation to the decision to migrate and experiences of immigration control, service provision and the process of social integration.

ESRC seminar 2 programme

ESRC Seminar Series - Briefing Paper 2

 

Seminar 3 Methodological issues in capturing and understanding experiences of migration (October 2009)

This seminar explored the advantages and disadvantages of different methodological approaches in unpicking and unpacking the migrant experience, including through the use of in-depth questionnaire surveys, longitudinal surveys, oral histories and participatory research methods. In addition a panel discussion specifically addressed the ethical and political issues involved in migration research.

ESRC seminar 3 programme

ESRC Seminar Series - Briefing Paper 3

 

Seminar 4 The role of the arts in understanding experiences of migration (February 2010)
The seminar focused on concepts and ideas about the existence or otherwise of ‘immigrant art’ or ‘refugee art’ and explored visual and literary representations of the migrant experience.

ESRC seminar 4 programme

ESRC Seminar Series - Briefing Paper 4

 

Seminar 5 Who tells the story? The politics of ‘the migrant voice (July 2010)

This seminar moved the focus onto political issues involved in understanding the migrant experience. It explored the ways in which migrants and migrant organisations are able (or unable) to tell the stories of their experiences and which stories and narratives are more easily articulated in the current political and policy context.

ESRC seminar 5 programme  

ESRC Seminar Series - Briefing Paper 5

 

Seminar 6 Who hears the story? Translating the migrant experience into policy and practice. (November 2010)

This event explored the extent to which different narratives and representations of 'the migrant experience' are heard by those tasked with the design and delivery of policies and processes relating to immigration, including immigration controls, the delivery of services and the process of social integration. It also explored whether the ‘partnership model’ between migrant community organisations and local and national government departments with responsibility for immigration policy and practice help or hinder the ‘migrant story’ from being heard.

ESRC seminar 6 programme  

ESRC Seminar Series - Briefing Paper 6

 

For further information or to receive details of events organised by CMPR please contact us