2011-2012

Next seminar

13 March 2012

Speaker: Mary Hickman (London Metropolitan University)
Where: UCL, Room 113, Department of Geography, Bedford Way (map)
Paper: ‘The experiences and impacts of being ‘suspect’ for Irish communities and Muslim communities in Britain 1974-2007′

Abstract: “This paper considers how the practice of conceiving of groups within civil society as ‘communities’ meshes with conceptualizations of certain populations as ‘suspect’, and discusses some of the impacts and consequences of this for particular groups of people. It examines how Irish and Muslim people in Britain have become aware of and have experienced themselves to be members ‘suspect communities’ between 1974-2007 and the consequences of this for their everyday lives and for processes of social cohesion.”

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Seminar format

When: Tuesdays, 5pm-6:30pm

Papers will usually be circulated to members of the mailing list in advance of the seminars. Seminars will usually involve a short presentation, a discussant and an open discussion among the participants.

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Full schedule

4 October 2011

Speakers: James Hathaway (University of Michigan) and Jason Pobjoy (University of Cambridge)
Where: CON.H.205, LSE (map)
Paper: ‘Queer cases make bad law’ (abstract) (ppt)

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1 November 2011

Speaker: Daniel Conway (Loughborough University)
Where:  Room 113, Department of Geography,  UCL (26 Bedford Way)
Paper: “A British Diaspora?: Migration, Whiteness and Identity Making by the British in South Africa”

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6 December 2011

Speaker: Mathias Czaika (Oxford University)
Where: CLM.307, LSE (map)
Paper: “Migration in times of uncertainty: On the role of economic prospects”

Abstract: “Risk perception is an important element in decisions about migration. This study develops a ‘migration prospect theory’, which is an application and advancement of Kahneman and Tversky’s (1979, 1991) prospect theory, that aims for a better understanding about the role of economic prospects in the migration decision-making process. I assume that individuals with migration intentions assess general economic prospects for migration (based on the home and host country’s general economic and labour market situation) in order to form and update their personal expectations. Consequently, (short-term) expectation gains or losses affect the value of the migration option for potential migrants, and thus, leads to a cancelation or procrastination of the migration project. This behavioural model can also explain short-term fluctuations of aggregate migration flows. Based on an analysis of annual and quarterly intra-European migration inflows to Germany between 2001 and 2010, supportive empirical evidence about some key implications of this migration prospect theory is found: first, migration flows respond stronger to negative than to equal-sized positive economic prospects indicating loss aversion of potential migrants, second, short-term economic prospects can outbalance de facto economic incentives based on real economic indicators, third, changing risk attitudes for positive versus negative expectations (contradicting standard expected utility theory), and fourth, diminishing responsiveness of migration flows with regard to increasing expectation gains and losses.
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17 January 2012

Speaker: John Campbell (SOAS)
Where: SOAS, Room 116, Main building
Paper: “Language Analysis in the United Kingdom’s Refugee Determination System: Seeing through policy claims about ‘expert’ knowledge”

Abstract: “This paper examines claims made about the role of ‘expert knowledge’ in analyzing the language of individuals seeking asylum in the UK. I treat policy as a type of power and seek to understand how this policy uses the language of science to further the British government’s stated interest to provide ‘secure borders’ and a ‘safe haven’ for refugees. I look at the how the Home Office defines, shapes and implements the policy, and at how the policy has influenced judicial decisions. In short I unmask UKBA’s claim to use expert, scientific knowledge in its assessment of asylum claims.”

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21 February 2012

Speaker: Cathy Zimmerman (London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine)
Where: LSE, Room KSW 1.04 (map)
Paper: “Trafficked and Asylum-Seeking Women: Findings from Research on Violence and Health”

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13 March 2012

Speaker: Mary Hickman (London Metropolitan University)
Where: UCL, Room 113, Department of Geography, Bedford Way (map)
Paper: ‘The experiences and impacts of being ‘suspect’ for Irish communities and Muslim communities in Britain 1974-2007′

Abstract: “This paper considers how the practice of conceiving of groups within civil society as ‘communities’ meshes with conceptualizations of certain populations as ‘suspect’, and discusses some of the impacts and consequences of this for particular groups of people. It examines how Irish and Muslim people in Britain have become aware of and have experienced themselves to be members ‘suspect communities’ between 1974-2007 and the consequences of this for their everyday lives and for processes of social cohesion.”

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1 May 2012

Speaker: Giles Mohan (Open University)
Where: SOAS
Paper: TBC