In this conversation, Birmingham Fellow Dr Jennifer Allsopp and Professor Michael Jackson from the Harvard Divinity School discuss the inter-relational aspects of migration research and how literature has informed their fieldwork both in terms of method and interpretation, from Sebold to Dante. In a wide-ranging and deeply personal discussion, they cover topics including the nexus... Continue Reading →
Is a new international convention to protect refugees needed? Nando Sigona speaks to Aljazeera’s Inside Story
Belarus-EU refugee standoff is the latest example of the UN refugee convention under strain. Belarus and the European Union are raising their stakes in a standoff over refugees and migrants at the Belarusian-Polish border. The EU is imposing more sanctions on entities in Belarus, while Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is threatening to cut gas supplies to Europe.... Continue Reading →
Young Refugees Respond to the Taliban’s Return
Birmingham Fellow and IRiS researcher Dr Jenny Allsopp shares the perspectives of British Afghan refugees on the Taliban's recent return to power. Originally published in Social Policy Matters. The WhatsApp messages and emails started pinging on my phone the evening of August 15th, soon after the Taliban arrived in Kabul. “Do you know anyone who can help... Continue Reading →
Reflections on Refugee Backlash and Gendered Harms
by Sandra Pertek (@sandrapertek), IRiS, University of Birmingham Within a window of 15 hours, I virtually travelled in time zones from GMT -5 to GMT +5. These journeys reminded me yet again about some of the most haunting downfalls of humanity. First, I participated in the Bold New Voices in Migration Research Conference organised by the Immigration Initiative... Continue Reading →
IRIS WEBINAR: Shifting Responsibilities ‘Down’, ‘Up’ and ‘Out’: A Multi-Level Governance Approach to Understanding Turkey’s Refugee Policy
3 November, 2-3pm (UK time) via Zoom. Registration via Eventbrite In this webinar organised by the University of Birmingham’s Institute for Research into Superdiversity (IRiS), Vivien Lowndes and Rabia Polat present their work on the governance of Syrian refugees in Turkey This talk investigates local government responses to the Syrian refugee situation in Turkey, situating... Continue Reading →
Cities of fears, cities of homes – video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-W2zLysusg In this webinar organised by the University of Birmingham’s Institute for Research into Superdiversity (IRiS) on 21 September, Professor Nasar Meer (The University of Edinburgh) explores the need to re-think two coterminous concerns: the rediscovery of the ‘local’ and the city in particular, and an understanding of the experience of displaced migration in Europe.... Continue Reading →
Community Sponsorship under lockdown
Professor Jenny Phillimore talks to Ruth Forecast and Sharon Baker of Malvern Welcomes about the challenges for refugees and volunteers in the time of Covid-19. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TpWVI8emb4 To find out more on IRiS Community Sponsorship research: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/superdiversity-institute/community-sponsorship-evaluation/index.aspx
Community sponsorship Photo Exhibition 2020
In early 2020 the University of Birmingham ran a photo competition for all volunteers and refugees involved in Community Sponsorship in the UK. A number of entries were received, with a winner announced for each group. This online exhibition is a showcase of all of the photos that were entered into the competition. Volunteer group... Continue Reading →
Coronavirus crisis ‘increases suffering of most vulnerable refugees’, new IRIS report reveals
The Covid-19 pandemic is exacerbating the existing vulnerabilities of the world’s refugees and internally displaced people, according to a report by theInstitute for Research into Superdiversity at the University of Birmingham and Refugee Women Connect. Research has revealed that many undocumented migrants were anxious about seeking medical help – fearful of being reported to immigration... Continue Reading →
#IAMESPOIR: Espoir Njei in conversation with Dawn River
This is the recording of a conversation between Espoir Njei and Dawn River. The conversation took place on Tuesday 28th April 2020 - approx. one month into lockdown. Espoir and Dawn built a friendship through their shared commitment to supporting LGBTIQ migrants fleeing persecution. Espoir is a lesbian asylum seeker from the Cameroon currently in... Continue Reading →