Migrant transnationalism, integration and place – call for papers (RGS-IBG 2010)
We would like to invite abstracts for papers to be presented at a panel we propose for inclusion in the 2010 conference of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG). The panel theme is migrant transnationalism, integration and place.
MIGRANT TRANSNATIONALISM, INTEGRATION AND PLACE
SESSION ABSTRACT:
This session aims to explore the intersections between migrants’ transnational engagements and integration in the destination country. The session is based on the premise that our understandings of the interactions between transnationalism and integration depend on how we understand and use the two terms.
If integration is understood as a process whereby migrants and the mainstream population become more alike, transnational activities that link migrants with their country of origin can be a signifier of difference – transnationalism can be perceived as a barrier to integration. This is especially true if the mainstream perceives migrant transnational activities to be a cause, or indicator, of ‘divided loyalties’. At the same time, integration understood in this way can be seen as decreasing or limiting transnational ties, especially for the second generation. Alternatively, if integration is understood as a process of migrant adaptation to life in a new country, then it could be considered as a complement to transnationalism, assuming that is also understood as form of migrant adaptation.
In recent years there has been a growing interest in the intersections between transnationalism and integration (see for example, Joppke and Morawska, 2003, Kivisto, 2001; Levitt, 2003; Nagel and Staeheli, 2008; Snel et al., 2006; Vertovec, 2007). These studies indicate a growing consensus that integration and transnationalism are not mutually exclusive – but are they instead simply concurrent, overlapping, or even mutually supportive? And, how do relationships between integration and transnationalism play out in different contexts?
For geographers the exploration of interactions between transnationalism and integration brings together issues of global connections (transnationalism) with how they influence the ways that migrants negotiate membership in their cities and countries of settlement. Geographers have contributed to the study of migrant transnationalism, among other through focus on transnational spatialities (e.g. Featherstone et al 2007), the significance of space in transnationalism (e.g. Ley 2004), transnational urbanism (e.g. Smith 2005) and bringing forward a place perspective (e.g. Gielis 2009).
We invite paper proposals that address (empirically and/or theoretically) aspects of the following themes:
- Has the growing acceptance of migrant transnationalism altered our approach to the analysis of integration, and how?
- How does the linking of transnationalism and integration affect our interpretations of the importance of place and space?
- Are there particular forms of transnationalism that interact differently with integration? i.e. transnational activities with an economic focus versus a socio-cultural focus?
- Do different forms of integration (e.g. structural or socio-cultural) interact with transnationalism in different ways?
- What is the impact of differences between immigrants (e.g. gender, age, human capital, generation) on the questions above?
SESSION KEY WORDS:
Migration – transnationalism – integration – place
SESSION FORMAT:
4 papers and 1 discussant, for a session of 1 hour and 40 mins. Should there be larger interest; consecutive sessions can be proposed, allowing for 8 papers to be included.
DEADLINE
Please submit abstracts by email no later than the 1st of February to Ceri Oeppen (co13@soas.ac.uk) and Marta Bivand Erdal (marta@prio.no).