London, 27-30 August
Exploring the interplay between government, politics and (im)mobility in the Global South
This session examines how the actions of government at multiple scales impacts issues related to mobility and immobility in the Global South. Here mobility is read as movement both across and within borders. In turn, immobility can be conceived both in terms of place attachment and belonging but can also be read as stemming from a lack of resources that can restrict movement. Migration from and within the Global South is a contentious issue. There are varying perspectives on how it should be governed and more broadly on how governance can impact it. Migration can be securitised or seen as a form of adaptation. There is often a mismatch between government intention and the lived experience of citizens, with governments sometimes acting as a source trouble rather than hope. However, governments have the potential to empower citizens for the better.
We are particularly interested in what these discussions add to the apparent dichotomy between ‘forced’ and ‘voluntary’ (non)migration. Abstracts could address any of the following:
• What are the meanings and implications behind describing (non)migration as either forced or voluntary?
• What role do different scales of governance play in affecting (non)migration?
• How does scale affect understandings of belonging and place attachment and what does this mean for (non)migrants?
• How can the actions of government either hinder or encourage (non)migration?
The papers will build on empirical examples from the Global South with a view to highlight established and evolving government involvement with mobility and immobility at various scales.
Please send abstracts of no more than 200 words to Daniel Robins djr23@st-andrews.ac.uk and Hebe Nicholson hn7@st-andrews.ac.uk. Please include names, institutional affiliation and contact details for authors/presenters. Deadline for submissions is Friday 8th February 2019.
For more information, please visit the website.