LIBS hosts Inter-disciplinary Migration Conference
Between 28-30 September, migration researchers from across the UK and Europe joined colleagues at the University at an inter-disciplinary migration conference “Hospitality, Community and Welcome: Researching working lives, representations and everyday realities of migrants”. Hosted by the Lincoln International Business School, the conference brought together over 50 researchers with a shared interest in exploring contemporary issues in migration and mobilities, making links across disciplinary, geographic and cultural boundaries.
Presentations explored the themes of hospitality, community and welcome in the lives of migrants as well as the complexities, challenges and futures of migration and mobilities studies. The conference saw outstanding keynote presentations by Prof Donna Chambers (Northumbria University), Dr Elena Genova and Dr Elisabetta Zontini (University of Nottingham), and Prof. Sundari Anitha (University of Lincoln) and Dr Iwona Zielińska-Poćwiardowska (Maria Grzegorzewska University). Recordings of the keynote presentations and the full programme can be found on the conference website
Participants also had chance to hear from researchers and local practitioners who are bridging the gap between academic research and grassroots activities in migrant communities. The panellists included Dr Anna Scott (Assistant Director for the Arts Council England funded Transported Creative People and Places arts programme), Prof Heather Hughes (involved in the Creative Europe WE-Hope project) and Bahar Tömek (involved in Lincoln Embracing All Nations (LEAN) organisation and founder of We are the Change).
Co-founded by Prof. Gary Bosworth (Northumbria University), Dr Agnieszka Rydzik (University of Lincoln), Dr Danica Šantić (University of Belgrade) and Prof. Ruth McAreavey (Newcastle University), the conference was the sixth research event organised by the Migration, Inter-Connectivity and Regional Development (MICaRD) research network funded by the Regional Studies Association. Previous events took place in Italy, Serbia, Poland and Northern Ireland. Established in 2015, the RSA MICaRD research network brings together scholars, policymakers and practitioners across Europe and beyond to provide a forum for debating current and emerging issues on European economic migration as well as fostering collaboration and expanding research opportunities. More information about the RSA MICaRD network can be found here. If you would like to get involved, please contact Dr Agnieszka Rydzik.
