Beyond extraction: Methodologies enhancing migrants and refugees' participation and leadership in migration research

    migration-mobility@torch.ox.ac.uk 

    @MigOxford

 

Key details 

Confirmed Speakers

Moderators 

Aims 

Participatory research is an umbrella term that encapsules a variety of methods—such as participatory action research, community ethnography, co-creation, collaborative research, or arts-based research projects—all of which aim to bring about understanding and social transformation. As remarked by Mata Codesal et al. (2020), “participatory research […] is not only a set of creative methods […] but also an epistemology and an ethics of research, [which] implies a different way of relating to our research objects, participants, and colleagues” (p. 202). While taking several forms, participatory research shares a set of key principles, including the formulation of research questions that are socially relevant; the conceptualising of all parties involved in the research process as co-creators of knowledge; and the implementation of strategies to achieve an equal distribution of power among all those involved in the process.

While participatory methodologies have a long history in feminist and decolonial thinking, they have begun attracting the attention of scholars within the field of Migration Studies only recently. Migration scholars are turning to participatory methodologies as a means to move beyond extractive research practices to generate understanding of displacement, migration, and mobility, while bringing about social change. This renewed interest in participatory approaches unfolds at a time when academic institutions are placing more emphasis on ethical research practices, social impact, and public engagement.
This event brings together migration scholars across the University of Oxford to explore and critically reflect on the key opportunities and challenges of deploying methodologies to enhance migrants and refugees' participation and leadership in migration research. The event includes representatives from the University of Oxford’s Social Sciences Division and the Public and Community Engagement with Research team who will discuss the institutional support available to migration researchers engaging with these participatory methods.

Ultimately, this event aims to foster learning and dialogue about the multiplicity of ways in which we can move beyond extractive approaches in migration and displacement research and encourage partnerships among migration scholars interested in participatory research.

Format 

Following the welcome from the Migration Oxford co-conveners, invited speakers will deliver short presentations on the opportunities and challenges they have encountered when deploying methodologies to enhance migrants and refugees' participation and leadership in migration research. Jacqui Broadhead and Loren Landau will then moderate the discussion. A warm reception with drinks and nibbles will follow.

Audience 

This event is open to students and migration researchers at all stages of their careers, including senior scholars leading participatory research projects, from across the Social Sciences Division. This event may be particularly suited to early and mid-career researchers with an interest in these methodologies and in public and community engagement with research. Members of the Oxford Sanctuary Community are also warmly invited to attend.

Registration

This is a limited capacity event. Please register via this link only if you intend to attend.

Contact

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Domiziana Turcatti and Abril Rios Rivera at migration-mobility@torch.ox.ac.uk

 

 

 

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