Conference Panels

Chair: Dora Sampaio (Utrecht University)

Date and time: 19.06, 16.30 -18.00 

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.15 

Presenters:

• Acil Abdul Hadi (ICN Buisness School Berlin)
• Lara Fizaine (Leyden Academy on Vitality and Aging)
• Kamil Matuszczyk (University of Warsaw)
• Tian Shi (Wenzhou University China)
• Hager Hussein (Erasmus University Rotterdam

Summary:
This panel investigates the intersections between welfare systems and migration experiences across diverse contexts. Abdul Hadi presents a case study on migrants' transition from welfare to work in the Dutch labor market, showing how structural barriers shape outcomes for different migrant groups. Lara Fizaine explore how multicultural care organizations in Amsterdam frame cultural difference in elder care, revealing how prioritizing culture often obscures structural inequalities. Kamil Matuszczyk and colleagues provide a comparative study of marginalized Polish migrants navigating local welfare systems in Stockholm, Berlin, London, and New York, uncovering systemic inefficiencies and racialized barriers. Tian Shi analyzes caregiving practices among Hmong refugees in Europe, emphasizing the critical role of emotional labor and community solidarity. Finally, Hager Hussein and team validate an ageing-in-place instrument adapted for older adults with native and migrant backgrounds in Rotterdam, offering a new tool for inclusive welfare planning. Together, the panel highlights how migration challenges welfare structures and calls for more nuanced, culturally sensitive policies.

Chair: Jos Philips (Utrecht University)

Date and time: 19.06, 16:30 – 18:00 

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 2.18 

Presenters:

• Eduardo Erazo Acosta, Vanessa Arteaga (independent researchers)
• Pralip Kumar Narzary, Birphung Narzary (University of Bodoland)
• Mostafa Faisal (Kirsehir Ahi Evran University)
• Joseph Inyama (Radboud University)
• Gia Mosashvili (Harvard University)

Summary:
Focusing on indigenous perspectives, this panel addresses how migration, environmental change, and indigenous knowledge systems intersect. Eduardo Erazo Acosta and Vanessa Arteaga discuss indigenous economic practices in Colombia and Ecuador rooted in the philosophy of "Alli Kawsay" (Buen Vivir), advocating for economic models centered on community, nature, and decolonization. Pralip Kumar Narzary and Birphung Narzary investigate unseen forced seasonal displacement among indigenous youth in India, linking migration to substance abuse and systemic neglect. Mostafa Faisal analyzes the societal impacts of Rohingya migration into Bangladesh, highlighting economic pressures, cultural tensions, and environmental degradation in host communities. Joseph Inyama examines how Indigenous communities in Nigeria experience and respond to climate change-enhanced disasters, focusing on how these experiences shape mobility and immobility practices across generations. Last but not least, Gia Mosashvili explores how climate change contributes to migration and displacement, using both historical examples like the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and current dynamics in rural areas of the Northern Triangle countries.Collectively, the panel emphasizes indigenous resilience and critiques development paradigms that marginalize traditional ecological knowledge and vulnerable communities.

Chair: Dina Siegel (Utrecht University)

Date and time: 19.06, 18.05 – 19.35 

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.10 

Presenters:

• Calvin Chen (Mount Holyoke College)
• Jack McMahon (University of Melbourne)
• Alexandra Pinto Damas (Utrecht University)
• Atefeh Ramsari and Zahid Hanbali (Bielefeld University)
• Ralph Haddad (Basmeh & Zeitooneh for Relief and Development Lebanon)

Summary:

This panel explores diasporic experiences and political engagement across diverse migrant communities. Calvin Chen analyzes how Chinese migrants in Italy and Spain challenge traditional ideas of national identity and citizenship through expanding social networks. Jack McMahon examines Tibetan diasporic consciousness, highlighting the politicization of exile and the challenges of maintaining commitment to collective causes over time. Alexandra Pinto Damas takes an intersectional approach to Brazilian migrants' irregular status in the Netherlands, exposing how race, gender, and class shape precarious lives and limited access to rights. Atefeh Ramsari and Zahid Hanbali investigate the transformations experienced by Yazidi migrant women in Germany, revealing how migration reconfigures traditional structures of gender, caste, and religion. Together, the panel highlights diasporic resilience and the negotiation of identity in transnational and often hostile environments.

Chair: Regien Biesma (Utrecht University) 

Date and time: 19.06, 18.05 – 19.35 

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 0.19

Presenters:

• Iwona Bielska (Jagiellonian University)
• Darius Daukšas (Lithuanian Institute of History)
• Konrad Pędziwiatr (Krakow University of Economics, Jagiellonian University)
• Pedro Pita Barro and Carolina Santos (NOVA University Lisbon)
• Michał Wanke (Jagiellonian University)

Summary:

This panel explores the intersections between migration, health care systems, and societal resilience in various European contexts. Iwona Bielska highlights challenges and adaptations within Poland’s health system following the Ukrainian refugee influx. Darius Daukšas examines how Lithuanian migrants’ vaccine hesitancy in Norway links to levels of integration and transnationalism. Konrad Pędziwiatr trace changing patterns of healthcare utilization among Ukrainian refugees in Krakow, illustrating a shift toward outpatient and primary care services. Pedro Pita Barro and Carolina Santos distinguish between mental health outcomes among economic versus non-economic migrants in Portugal, revealing complex dynamics in healthcare access and engagement. Michał Wanke and team stress the crucial role of overcoming communication barriers for effective healthcare access among migrants in Poland. Collectively, the panel points to the urgent need for culturally-sensitive and inclusive healthcare systems amid rising migration pressures.

Chair: Ouissam Abattouy (Utrecht University)

Date and time: 20.06, 16.30 – 18.00  

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.16 

Presenters:

• Gülendam Akgül (Ankara University)
• Ouissam Abattouy (Utrecht University)
• Gunika Rishi (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)
• Anita Brzozowska (Centre of Migration Research, University of Warsaw)
• Petr Gulenko, Igor Zavorotchenko and Liubov Stepanova (Charles University in Prague)

Summary:

This panel focuses on how migration shapes identity formation, aspirations, and belonging among adolescents and youth. Gülendam Akgül explores narrative identity development among migrant adolescents in Türkiye, revealing struggles with belonging, cultural navigation, and resilience. Ouissam Abattouy adopts a person-centered approach to autonomy development, investigating how family background, cultural orientation, and SES influence adolescent experiences. Gunika Rishi examines unaccompanied refugee minors' family reunification experiences in Norway, showcasing creative kinship constructions beyond narrow legal definitions. Anita Brzozowska assesses young Ukrainian migrants’ aspirations amidst ongoing geopolitical uncertainty, emphasizing dynamic strategies of mobility and future-building. Petr Gulenko and colleagues apply social constructivist analysis to young Ukrainian refugees' adaptation experiences in Prague, uncovering the gap between their "imaginary West" expectations and European realities. The panel illuminates the intricate processes by which young migrants navigate identity, community, and future pathways in volatile environments.

Chair: Viola Bex-Reimert, Utrecht University 

Date and time:  19.06, 14.35 – 16.05 

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.18 

Presenters:

• Defne Aksit, Cecil Meeusen, Katrín Árnadóttir andKaren Phalet (KU Leuven)
• Dr. Deepika (University of Delhi)
• Amira Namouchi (University of Szeged)
• Nilima Rai (Queen's University Canada)

Summary:

This panel examines the evolving conceptualizations of citizenship and belonging in migration contexts. Defne Aksit and colleagues use latent profile analysis to map nuanced citizenship conceptions among Belgian voters, showing complex patterns beyond traditional civic/ethnic divisions. Dr. Deepika and team analyze India's shifting citizenship policies, particularly post-CAA, illustrating the deep tensions between humanitarian obligations and exclusionary state practices. Amira Namouchi offers comparative insights into citizenship and immigration laws in the MENA region, with Tunisia as a focal point, revealing how legal frameworks entrench socio-economic exclusions. Nilima Rai investigates the experiences of Nepali brides in South Korea, shedding light on gendered and racialized citizenship practices, structural violence, and strategies of resistance. Together, the presentations reveal the tensions and reconfigurations of citizenship in an era of contested migration and national identity.

Chair: Bianca Szytniewski (Utrecht University)

Date and time: 19.06, 13.00 – 14.30 

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.17

Presenters:

• Kamil Matuszczyk (University of Warsaw)
• Andi Holik Ramdani (Societas Research Institute Japan)
• Sudhaveni Naresh (Centre for Economic and Social Studies India)
• Amrita Limbu (University of Leeds)
• Andrea Turkovic and Francesco Molteni (University of Milan)

Summary:

This panel explores diverse aspects of contemporary migration, focusing on labor mobility, policy frameworks, and integration experiences across global contexts. Dr. Matuszczyk examines how private migration intermediaries increasingly shape labor migration policy in Poland as active policy entrepreneurs. Andi Holik Ramdani analyzes Japan’s evolving role as a destination for Indonesian migrant workers, highlighting ethical recruitment challenges and dependency dynamics. Dr. Sudhaveni Naresh offers insights into the socioeconomic impacts of Gulf labor migration from Telangana, India, emphasizing vulnerabilities faced by migrants and the need for rights-based policies. Limbu Amrita investigates the gendered experiences of migrant women doctors navigating complex registration processes in the UK medical system. Finally, Andrea Turković and Francesco Molteni present findings from the BOnD survey on the economic and social integration of first- and second-generation migrant women in Lombardy, Italy, with attention to generational, cultural, and gender differences. Together, these papers provide a rich, comparative perspective on how policies, institutions, and individual experiences intersect to shape migration trajectories worldwide.

Chair: Ilse van Liempt (Utrecht University)

Date & Time: 19 June, 18:05–19:30

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.15

Presenters:

• Sutapa Sarkar and Pralip Kumar Narzary (Bodoland University)
• Turkan Melis (University of Ankara)
• Esma Hamurcu (University of Applied Sciences Cologne)

Summary:

This panel examines the complex interplay of migration and precarious labour. Sutapa Sarkar and Pralip Kumar Narzary explore how remittances from Indian labor emigrants can generate both economic relief and intra- and inter-household conflicts among left-behind women in West Bengal, revealing the social tensions triggered by resource allocation. Turkan Melis investigates the integration experiences of second- and third-generation Turkish women in Germany, analyzing how patriarchal structures and intersectional identities shape their agency, belonging, and integration outcomes. Esma Esra Hamurcu focuses on the recent wave of healthcare professionals migrating from Turkey to Germany, driven by deteriorating working conditions, violence, political instability, and socio-economic pressures, further intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters. Together, the papers offer valuable insights for developing more inclusive and migration policies.

Chair: Talitha Dubow (Maastricht University)

Date & Time: 19 June, 18:05–19:35

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.09

Presenters:

• Karun K. Karki (University of British Columbia)
• Ioana Marin (University of Valencia)
• Tesora Ooft (Anton de Kom University of Suriname)
• Ricard Moren-Alegret (Autonomous University of Barcelona)
• Talitha Dubow (Maastricht University)

Summary:
This panel investigates systemic barriers faced by skilled immigrants, focusing on employment disparities in host countries. It addresses how race, immigration status, and gender intersect to affect labour outcomes, calling for more inclusive policies and better integration mechanisms.

Chair: Jamie Draper (Utrecht University)

Date & Time: 20 June, 16:30–18:00

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 0.19

Presenters:

• Zehraoui Kamal (Université Hassan II Casablanca)
• Stephen Opare and Rosemary Nunoo
• Shreya Bhardwaj (Czech University of Life Sciences)

Summary:
This panel explores the interplay of climate change and migration in regions of Africa and India. It reveals that socio-economic drivers play a larger role than environmental factors alone and emphasizes the complexity of (im)mobility decisions influenced by economic and political contexts.

Chair: Jos Philips (Utrecht University)

Date & Time: 20 June, 14:35–16:05

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 0.17

Presenters:

• Samuel Ballin (Radboud University)
• Chara Mikropoulou (Aix University Marseille)
• Marialena Pantazi Psatha (KU Leuven)
• Jamila Nachid (University of Bonn)

Summary:
This panel addresses legal and ethical gaps in the recognition of climate migrants. It explores ecological vulnerability among researchers, critiques current legal frameworks, and promotes new paradigms and moral arguments for international climate justice and protection.

Chair: Stefanie Sprong (Utrecht University)

Date & Time: 19 June, 13:00 – 14:30

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.10

Presenters:

• Aya Alwais (University of Bremen)
• Grazia Donato (University of Palermo)
• Isabelle Guicherit (Utrecht University)
• Alla Koval (Protestant University of Applied Sciences Berlin)
• Rosemay Nunoo; Daniel Frimpong and Stephen Asare

Summary:
This panel explores how experiences of racism and perceived discrimination shape migrants’ identities, sense of belonging, and health outcomes. It examines the psychological and physical effects of exclusion, the internalization of dominant narratives, and how migrants actively engage in reshaping rural communities. The panel calls for deeper recognition of structural inequalities in both academic and policy discussions.

Chair: Floris Peters (Utrecht University)

Date & Time: 19 June, 13:00 – 14:30

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.09

Presenters:

• Gamze Avci (Utrecht University)
• Rachel Kollar (Radboud University Nijmegen)
• Guido Priem (KU Leuven)

Summary:
This panel investigates how migration interacts with political dynamics, focusing on immigrant political parties, public attitudes toward migration, and border control policies. It also examines the unintended consequences of migration management strategies and the influence of religion on public tolerance. Together, the contributions offer insights into the politicization of migration and its evolving narratives.

Chair: Marcel Lubbers (Utrecht University)

Date & Time: 19 June, 18:05 – 19:35

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 0.17

Presenters:

• Babiyuk Natalia
• Dederichs Kasimir (University of Oxford)
• Faruq Abdul Mawlood (University of Sulaimani)
• Fabian Gülzau (German Expert Council on Integration and Migration)
• Yin Ao (University of Groningen)

Summary:
This panel discusses identity construction among migrant communities in the context of postcolonialism, religion, and diaspora. It explores how migrants reshape gender roles, foster new communal spaces, and assert their presence in national and transnational discourse. It highlights the importance of digital narratives and social spaces in negotiating identity and belonging.

Chair: Rik Huizinga (Utrecht University)

Date & Time: 19 June, 13:00 – 14:30

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.18

Presenters:

• James O'Donnell (Australian National University)
• Yin Zhaowei (University of Glasgow)
• Yasemin Okay (Osnabruck University)
• Sara Badri (Scuola Superior Sant’Anna)
• Iris Egea Quijada (Free University Brussels)

Summary:
Focusing on the lived experience of migrants, this panel analyzes how a sense of belonging develops over time through life events and social interactions. It explores how identity is shaped at the intersection of personal, cultural, and structural factors, offering insights into how social support and discrimination influence integration and wellbeing.

Chair: Dina Siegel (Utrecht University)

Date & Time: 20 June, 16:30–18:00

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 0.17

Presenters:

• Sasha Baglay (Ontario Tech University)
• Roberta Gentili & Lawrence Jabs (University of Bologna)
• Iulia Mirzac (University of Birmingham)
• Zoi Papadiamanti (Guidepoint Greece)

Summary:
This panel examines how restrictive immigration policies, judicial systems, and border regimes shape the experiences of trafficked and smuggled migrants. It discusses the racial and gendered biases in asylum claims, the rise of organized trafficking networks, and the consequences of criminalizing mobility. The panel underscores the need for structural and legal reform to protect vulnerable migrants.

Chair: Guanqin He (Utrecht University)

Date & Time: 20 June, 16:30 – 18:00

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.10

Presenters:

• Christian Czymara (Goethe University Frankfurt)
• Stavros Delavinias & Markar Shangoyan (Erevnima Non-Profit Company)
• William Hollingshead (Toronto Metropolitan University)
• Jisu Kim (Utrecht University)

Summary:
This panel explores how digital platforms shape public discourse on migration. It analyzes reactions to terrorism on social media, revealing evolving narratives from exclusion to tolerance. The panel highlights the role of social media in both reinforcing and challenging dominant migration narratives.

Chair: Koen Leurs (Utrecht University)

Date & Time: 19 June, 13:00 – 14:30

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 2.19

Presenters:

• Noemi Mena Montes (Radboud University)
• Daria Batychko (Polish Academy of Science)
• Sonja Reinhold (Center for Human Rights Erlangen-Nuremberg)

Summary:
This panel explores the opportunities and challenges of digital media in the context of migration. It examines how digital skills and access can empower migrant women, how media shape immigrants' sense of belonging, and how digitalization in public services can both help and harm integration. It highlights the importance of inclusive digital strategies grounded in human rights.

Chair: Sauro Civitillo (Utrecht University)

Date & Time: 20 June, 16:30 - 18:00

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 0.22

Presenters:

• Mathilda Ernberg (Lund University)
• Kir Sevda (Radboud University)
• Gülendam Akgül (Ankara University)

Summary:
This panel discusses how education systems shape experiences of belonging and integration for migrant students. It addresses school absenteeism as a reflection of national identity politics, evaluates inclusive education policies for refugees in Turkey, and promotes co-created, decolonial knowledge transfer in social work education.

Chair: Reazul Ahsan (University of Utah)

Date & Time: 19 June, 13:00–14:30

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 0.17

Presenters:

• Richard Osei Bonsu & Nana Oboadie Boateng Bonsu (OMANIAE Non-Profit Ghana)
• Zuzanna Brunarska (University of Warsaw) and Sonya Dal Cin (University of Michigan)
• Liona Li (Erasmus University Rotterdam)
• Maiuga Alexandra (Ritsumeikan University)
• Meghan Rens (Erasmus University Rotterdam)

Summary:
This panel contrasts migration aspirations with lived realities. It explores the disillusionment of African youth in irregular migration, the persuasive power of stories in shaping migration intentions, and the complex uncertainties facing young British Nationals from Hong Kong, challenging binaries of voluntary vs. forced migration.

Chair: Vasileios Gerasopoulos (Utrecht University)

Date & Time: 19 June, 16:30–18:00

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 2.19

Presenters:

• Kamila Borges Aragão Pessoa (Foundation of Science and Technology Lisbon)
• Ewa Dynarowicz (University of Wrocław)
• Sjoukje van der Meulen (Utrecht University)
• Tatiana Kanasz (Maria Grzegorzewska University)

Summary:
This panel explores how artistic and literary expressions reshape narratives about migration. It examines the emotional and political impact of animated films, critiques the limits of migration-themed art, rethinks migrant literature through cosmopolitanism, and analyzes how museums in Poland foster solidarity with Ukrainian refugees.

Chair: Maria Auxiliadora Castillo Soto, Utrecht University

Date & Time: 19 June, 18:05–19:35

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.09

Presenters:

• María Auxiliadora Castillo Soto (Utrecht University)
• Rita Agatina Di Leo & Alba Salluzzo (Sapienza University Rome)
• Ines Mendes de Sousa (University of Bristol)
• Şenel Alpuğan (Hacettepe University Ankara)
• Almedina Lozic

Summary:
This panel examines how postcolonial and artistic voices challenge dominant narratives on migration, identity, and belonging. It highlights how diasporic writers and performance artists reflect on transnational experiences and how cultural institutions, such as museums, can foster solidarity and new understandings in response to contemporary migration crises.

Chair: Swantje Falcke (Utrecht University)

Date & Time: 19 June, 13:00–14:30

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 2.18

Presenters:

• Sara D’Anna (Pompeu Fabra University)
• Ruth Elizabeth Prado Pérez (Jesuit University of Guadalajara)
• Fatima Farakhdust (Loughborough University)
• Mufsin Puthan Purayil (Jindal Global University)
• Kabamba Yowali (Utrecht University)

Summary:
This panel addresses overlooked or under-researched migration histories. It examines early Italian migration to Mexico, the role of non-state actors in refugee governance in Indonesia, and the socio-economic integration of non-Western migrants in Belgium and the Netherlands, with attention to colonial legacies and structural inequality.

Chair: Vasileios Gerasopoulos (Utrecht University)

Date & Time: 19 June, 18:05–19:35

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 2.19

Presenters:

• Magda Bolzoni (Politecnico di Torino) & Davide Donatiello (University of Turin)
• Yael Gordon (London School of Economics and Political Science)
• Aleksandra Krzyżaniak (Adam Mickiewicz University)
• Tatiana Lysova (University of Milan-Bicocca)

Summary:
Focusing on solidarity and inclusion, this panel reflects on relational approaches to refugee support in Italy and the shifting roles of host citizens in the UK. It emphasizes the importance of social ties and civic engagement while interrogating the sustainability and institutionalization of these models.

Chair: Elma Blom (Utrecht University)

Date & Time: 19 June, 16:30 – 18:00

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.18

Presenters:

• Eline Heikamp (University of Groningen)
• Manuela Pinto (Utrecht University)
• Siya Sithamparanathan (Utrecht University)
• Tina Bougag (Leiden University)

Summary:
This panel examines how language shapes the integration of migrants and their sense of empowerment. It evaluates language buddy programs and explores the challenges faced by adult newcomers in navigating linguistic inequalities within families and institutions, highlighting both the potential and limitations of language-focused interventions.

Chair: Manuela Pinto (Utrecht University)

Date & Time: 19 June, 14:35 – 16:05

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 2.19

Presenters:

• Franziska Schreyer (Institute for Employment Research Germany)
• Irem Karacay (University of Mannheim)
• Haïfa Hubert (ESSEC Business School Paris)
• Gökay Özerim (Yaşar University)
• Luca Fancello (University of Palermo)`

Summary:
This panel explores how language and discourse shape power dynamics in migration contexts. It investigates how institutions manage linguistic diversity, how language policies in Turkey affect migrant identities abroad, and how diasporic communities navigate linguistic resistance and accommodation, how French media and legislation emotionally frame migration, impacting public perception and structural policy and how administrative offices hold bureaucratic power to abuse, neglect power to perpetuate exclusionary mechanisms. 

Chair: Tobias Stark (Utrecht University)

Date & Time: 19 June, 16:30 – 18:00

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.11

Presenters:

• Tobias Hillenbrand (Maastricht University)
• Stefania Kalogeraki (University of Crete)
• Mona Salem and Mauricio Carvallo (University of Oklahoma)
• Duygu Merve Uysal (University of Amsterdam)

Summary:
This panel examines public opinion on migration across Europe and beyond. It investigates how emotional responses—such as fear, empathy, and compassion—shape policy preferences and societal divisions. Studies span Germany, Greece, Turkey, and the U.S., highlighting the importance of emotions, political context, and perceived threat in determining public support for migrants and refugees.

Chair: Jellie Sierksma (Utrecht University)

Date & Time: 19 June, 16:30 – 18:00

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 0.19

Presenters:

• Pamela Ijeoma (University of Sunderland)
• Yue Fu (Ibaraki University)
• Mehmi Monique (University of Liverpool)
• Evren Morgül (University of Roehampton)
• Stefanie Sprong (Utrecht University)

Summary:
This panel investigates legal, social, and emotional issues affecting migrant and refugee children. It discusses the Chavez procedure in the Netherlands, nationality issues in Japan, discrimination in childcare access across Europe, and strategies of empowerment and care in precarious camp settings. It emphasizes the intersection of child rights, integration, and socio-political contexts.

Chair: Gideon Bolt (Utrecht University)

Date & Time: 19 June, 13:00–14:30

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 0.22

Presenters:

• Shabnam Khezri (Free University Brussel)
• Neriman Kılınç (Ankara University)
• Maximilian Schrobenhauser (University of Münster)

Summary:
This panel explores how migrants experience and shape urban spaces. It investigates residential mobility and segregation across generations, perceptions of safety in green spaces, loneliness among older migrants, and how urban design can support inclusion. It emphasizes the impact of spatial and social environments on migrant well-being and belonging.

Chair: Gideon Bolt (Utrecht University)

Date & Time: 19 June, 16:30–18:00

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 0.22

Presenters:

• Julieta Lechini Vittorin (Free University Brussels)
• Reazul Ahsan (University of Utah)
• Senyo Dotsey (University of Turin)
• Theresa Herzog-Abusaeeda (Vienna University of Economics and Business)

Summary:
This panel focuses on housing struggles among migrants in European cities. It examines decolonial feminist resistance to evictions in Barcelona, accessibility to basic needs in Dhaka, approaches to tackling homelessness in migrants in Bergamo, and inclusion and exclusion in Vienna and Chicago in urban contexts. The panel emphasizes the link between housing access, urban citizenship, and migrant empowerment.

Chair: Jos Philips (Utrecht University)

Date & Time: 20 June, 16:30–18:00

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.09

Presenters:

• Ibrahima Amadou Dia (African Centre for the Study and Research on Migration)
• Lu Qianyu (University of Cambridge)
• Ngoc Han Nguyen (University of Groningen)
• Fatıma Silpağar (Brussels Institute for Social and Population Studies)
• Suat Aksu (Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences)

Summary:
This panel explores how highly skilled migrants navigate challenges in labour markets across Europe. It examines transnational mobility, digital employment, credential recognition, and gendered constraints, revealing how structural barriers and social expectations shape professional trajectories and integration outcomes.

Chair: Tina Dulam (Utrecht University)

Date & Time: 20 June, 13:00 – 14:30

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 0.22

Presenters:

• Alfiya Lyapina (Institute for Employment Research Germany)
• Ola Olajide (Grassroots Alternatives Foundations The Hague)
• Claudia Minchilli (University of Groningen)
• Jon Gaviola (University of Canterbury)

Summary:
This panel highlights the agency of migrants navigating precarious environments. It explores survival strategies among Syrian migrants in Russia and Germany, the resilience of Filipino workers in New Zealand, the aftermath of the so-called Toeslagenaffaire for migrant families in the Netherlands, and audio-visual strategies for illiterate migrants to consume media, and. The panel advocates for more responsive policies grounded in migrant experiences.

Chair: Laura Candidatu (Utrecht University)

Date & Time: 19 June, 14:35–16:05

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 2.18

Presenters:

• Kay Mars (Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam) and Maria Schiller (Erasmus Universiteit Rotterdam)
• Merve Meri (Ted University Ankara)
• Defi Satriyani (University of Warsaw)
• Rachele Scardamaglia (University of Palermo)

Summary:
Focusing on migrant women, this panel explores how gender, violence, and intersectionality affect mobility and access to services. It includes cases of legal vulnerability, digital navigation by illiterate women, and resilience under crisis. The panel underscores the need for gender-sensitive, intersectional approaches in migration research and policy.

Chair: Not listed
Date & Time: 20 June, 14:35–16:00
Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.11
Presenters:

• Giovanni-Clemente Rossi (University of Palermo)
• Canan Simsek (Queen Mary University of London)
• Belinda Rawson (University of Warwick)

Summary:
This panel rethinks migration through postcolonial and decolonial lenses. It analyzes how colonial legacies shape contemporary border regimes, the Tunisian migration regime's evolution, and critiques of integration discourses. It emphasizes the political and epistemic importance of decolonizing migration studies and supporting migrant resistance as a site of innovation.

Chair: Paul Minderhoud (Utrecht University)
Date & Time: 20 June, 13:00–14:30
Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 0.21
Presenters:

• Maria Crippa (University of Milan)
• Dr Antonella Patteri, Institute of Law Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
• Karenjot Bhangoo Randhawa & Nikita Gupta (University of California)

Summary:
This panel examines accountability and governance in contexts of displacement and border control. It analyzes legal frameworks in Libya, explores irregular migration dynamics in Tunisia and Italy, and investigates post-conflict governance legitimacy in Syria. Emphasis is placed on rights violations, institutional failures, and the evolving landscape of migration policy.

Chair: Jos Philips, Utrecht University
Date & Time: 19 June, 18:05–19:35
Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 0.22
Presenters:

• Yasmin Mochtar, Andrea Jelić & Ann Heylighen (KU Leuven)
• Sona Sukiasyan (University of Gothenburg)
• Dr. Arththi Sathananthar, University of Groningen
• Erman Örsan YETİŞ, Department of Politics and International Relations, The University of Sheffield, United Kingdom

Summary:
This panel explores how migrants create a sense of home and belonging. It analyzes the homemaking practices of Filipino domestic workers in Spain, third-culture individuals in Belgium, and diaspora communities in Sweden through food and material culture. The panel highlights the emotional, spatial, and cultural strategies migrants use to navigate new environments.

Chair: Özge Bilgili (Utrecht University)
Date & Time: 19 June, 14:35–16:05
Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.17
Presenters:

• Vera Spangler (University of Surrey)
• Vladan Vidicki (University of Novi Sad)
• Angela Bauer & Knut Petzold (Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences)

Summary:
This panel focuses on the experiences and expectations of international students. It explores knowledge hierarchies, career prospects, identity reconstruction, and retention challenges in host countries. It also reflects on how shifting political narratives affect students' sense of welcome and belonging, emphasizing the need for more inclusive and supportive education policies.

Chair: Wolter Hassink (Utrecht University)
Date & Time: 19 June, 13:00–14:30
Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.15
Presenters:

• Anne Gielen (Erasmus University Rotterdam)
• Govert Bijwaard (NIDI)
• Tina Dulam (Utrecht University)

Summary:
This panel analyzes labour market outcomes and mobility among migrants. It investigates intergenerational mobility across countries, the influence of partners on migration decisions, and skills mismatch due to credential disparities. The panel highlights how labour market integration is shaped by host-country policies and educational background.

Chair: Wolter Hassink (Utrecht University)
Date & Time: 19 June, 14:35–16:05
Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.15
Presenters:

• Moé Suzuki (London School of Economics)
• Dr. Seonok Lee, University of Groningen
• Jacopo Mazza, Utrecht University

Summary:
This panel interrogates economic narratives around refugees and elite migrants. One presentation critically examines the concept of humanization in refugee discourses, while the other investigates how privileged Chinese migrants leverage mobility capital in response to risk and opportunity. It offers new theoretical insights into neoliberal migration regimes and selective mobility.

Chair: Grzegorz Bonusiak (University of Rzeszow)
Date & Time: 19 June, 18:05–19:35
Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.17
Presenters:

• Grzegorz Bonusiak & Zofia Sawicka
• Magdalena Biernacka & Aleksandra Pelczar
• Hubert Kotarski, Magdalena Pokrzywa & Dorota Rynkowska
• Anna Siewierska
• Jan Gałkowski

Summary:
This panel explores the experiences of Ukrainian refugees in Poland, focusing on integration in border regions. Topics include migration flows, labour market access, and educational barriers. It highlights the specific challenges faced by women and students, while also addressing institutional support mechanisms and gaps in public policy.

Chair: Ajay Bailey (Utrecht University)
Date & Time: 20 June, 14:35–16:05
Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 0.21
Presenters:

• Yvonne Riaño (University of Neuchâtel)
• Luke van de Wouw & Maria Schiller (Erasmus University Rotterdam)
• Özge Bilgili (Utrecht University)
• Julia Reinold (presenting), Erasmus University Rotterdam, Mathias Czaika, Danube University Krems and Didier Ruedin, University of Neuchatel

Summary:
This panel critically assesses how international student mobility is governed and politicized. It discusses policy contradictions, national discourses, and shifting public attitudes. The panel reveals the vulnerability of international students under changing migration and education policies and argues for a more inclusive and coherent approach to student migration.

• Chair: Hanneke van Eijken

Date and Time: 20.06, 13:00–14:30

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, Room 1.11

Presenters:

• Caia Vlieks (UU)
• Maarten Bolhuis (VU)
• Viola Bex-Reimert (UU)
• Evelien Brouwer (UU)
• Summary:
  This panel investigates how national and EU-level security measures—like nationality deprivation, entry bans, and exclusions under Article 1F of the Refugee Convention—undermine legal certainty and human rights. It highlights tensions between different legal standards, potential discrimination against dual nationals, and the lack of harmonization in recognizing national decisions such as entry bans.

Chair: Jozefien De Bock and Christophe Declercq

Date and Time: 20.06, 14:35–16:05

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, Room 0.19

• Presenters:
  • Christophe Declercq (UU)
  • Jozefien de Bock (UU)
  • Wendy Wiertz (UU)
  • Claire Wellesley-Smith (Open University)
  • Lotte van Attenhoven (In Flanders Fields Museum)

Summary:

This interdisciplinary panel uncovers the largely forgotten history of 1.5 million Belgian refugees during WWI. It explores themes of stigma, mental health, lacemaking aid programs, and public memory. The goal is to connect past refugee narratives to current public understanding and promote inclusive remembrance through exhibitions and heritage initiatives.

• Chair: Meta van der Linden

Date and Time: 20.06, 14:35–16:00

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, Room 0.17

Presenters:

• • Hanneke van Eijken (UU)
  • Swantje Falcke & Floris Peters (UU)
  • Maarten Vink, Floris Peters & Rohit Ticku (European University Institute / Utrecht University / European University Institute)
• Summary:
  Presentations examined EU citizenship through solidarity and legal rights, assessed the effect of naturalization on migrants' economic integration, and explored long-term socioeconomic outcomes using dual citizenship reforms as quasi-natural experiments.

• Chairs: Rik Huizinga & Karlien Strijbosch

Date and Time: 19.06, 16:30–18:00

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, Room 1.09

Presenters:

• • Onallia Esther Osei (Maastricht University)
  • Karlien Strijbosch (Zuyd University of Applied sciences/ Maastricht University)
  • Abu Saleh Mohammad Sowad (Concordia University/University of Dhaka)
  • Rik Huizinga (UU)

Summary:
This panel challenges monolithic views of migrant men by focusing on care, emotions, and relational masculinities. It covers transnational fatherhood, post-deportation care, caregiving among Bangladeshi migrants in Canada, and emotional labor in refugee masculinities. The panel proposes care as an alternative to dominant narratives of crisis and dispossession.

Chair: Elina Jonitz (Erasmus University Rotterdam) and Jana Finke (Utrecht University) 

Date and Time: 20.06, 14:35–16:05

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, Room 1.16

Presenters:

• • Lélia Tavakoli Farsooni (UVA)
  • Louise Hantson (VUB)
  • Rafik Arfaoui (Pompeu Fabra University Barcelona)
  • Jana Finke (UU)
  • Zeynep Aydar (University of Hildesheim)
• Summary:
  A roundtable discussion debunking rural migration myths by presenting diverse empirical findings across Europe. It critiques stereotypes of rural hospitality or hostility and highlights how local diversity, civil society initiatives, and migrant narratives reshape belonging and inclusion in rural settings.

• Chair: Salvatore Nicolosi
• Date and Time: 20.06, 13:00–14:30
• Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, Room 0.19
• Presenters:
  • Dr. Salvatore Nicolosi and Dr. Türkan Ertuna Lagrand, Utrecht University
  • Matti Warnez, Utrecht University
  • Dr. Karen Geertsema, Radboud Universiteit
  • Hüseyin Ali Kudret
• Summary:
  This legal panel explores gendered experiences in asylum law, revealing the limits of existing legal frameworks. It discusses reforms, discriminatory practices, and how gender-sensitive interpretations can enhance protection standards across Europe.

Chair: Tobias Stark (UU), and Lars Lesczensky (Goethe University Frankfurt)
Date & Time: 20 June, 13:00-14:30
Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.09
Presenters:

• Lexin Chen (Utrecht University)
• Miriam Feldhausen (Goethe University Frankfurt)
• Fenella Fleischmann (University of Amsterdam)
• Angelos Dimonisaris (Utrecht University)
• Sheida Novin (Utrecht University)

Summary:
This panel explores how multicultural identities impact integration, focusing on identity conflict, belonging, and well-being. It includes studies on ethnic and national identity in the Netherlands, institutional support for integration in Amsterdam, and the role of contextual belonging in self-perception. The panel underscores the significance of supportive environments for positive identity development and inclusion.

Chair: Bishawijt Mallick (UU)
Date & Time: 19 june, 14:35-16:05

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 0.19

Presenters:

• Sayantan Samui, Utrecht University
• Sultana Ashrafi, Erasmus University Rotterdam
• Varsha Mini Veronica Jeyaseelan
• Bishawijt Mallick

Summary:
This panel examines the intergenerational dimensions of migration and immobility. It focuses on livelihood resilience in Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh, and the Rohingya refugee context, exploring how families make strategic decisions in response to climate, economic, and political risks. Emphasis is placed on how both mobility and staying put are influenced by gender, age, and structural vulnerabilities.

Chair: Veronika Nagy & Dina Siegel
Date & Time: 20 June, 18:05-19:35
Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.09
Presenters:

•Anna Markovska 

• Ricky van Oers  

• Karen Geertsema  

• Aleksandra Krzyżaniak 

• Noemi Mena Montes  

• Veronika Nagy 

Summary:
This panel investigates how the Russia-Ukraine war reshapes border practices and forced migration governance in Europe. It explores digital surveillance of refugee mobility, racialized treatment of non-Ukrainian migrants, EU legal asymmetries, and Hungary’s strategic ambiguity. The panel reveals inconsistencies in humanitarian responses and how bordering mechanisms reinforce exclusion.

Chair: Giacomo Solano (Radboud University)
Date & Time: 20 June, 16:30–18:00
Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.11
Presenters and summary:

Dr. Sebastian Meyers (Utrecht University) will illustrate the issues of the present fragmentation of admission and integration policies and call for a transnational conception of integration. Dr. Salvo Nicolosi (Utrecht University) will focus on people displaced from Ukraine and explain that despite providing for facilitated admission, temporary protection arrangements – such as those offered to people fleeing Ukraine, frustrate long-term integration. Dr. Marco Borraccetti (University of Bologna) will compare Italy and Spain to explain how recent reforms have addressed admission and integration. Dr. Paul Minderhoud (Utrecht University) will shed light on the labour market position of refugees in the Netherlands explaining how numerous obstacles prevent them from finding paid work. Dr. Pascal Beckers (Radboud University) will focus on the role of municipalities in the Netherlands for the inclusion of refugees. Dr. Daniela Vitiello (Tuscia University of Viterbo) will present the experience of integration through the admission of refugee students with university corridors in Italy under the UNICORE project.

Chair: Ilse van Liempt, Utrecht University
Date & Time: 20 June, 13:00-14:30
Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.16
Presenters:

• Mohammed Badran is a Palestinian Syrian anthropologist and human rights advocate
• Dawit Haile is a PhD Candidate in Geography at Radboud University Nijmegen
• Lieke van der Veer is an social anthropologist and philosopher who works as a postdoctoral researcher at the Erasmus University Rotterdam
• Jamie Draper is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Utrecht University’s Ethics Institute

Summary:
This panel reflects on the future directions of migration ethics and philosophy. Topics include the moral evaluation of immigration restrictions, colonial legacies in migration policy, questions of justice and inclusion, and the ethics of public discourse on migration. The panel calls for an agenda that bridges normative theory with real-world migration challenges.

Chair: Janique Schep, Utrecht University
Date & Time: 19 june, 16:00-18:30

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 0.17
Presenters:

• Karelis Olivo Rumpf, Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB) & Utrecht University
• Maria Mirucka, University of Warsaw
• Janique Schep, Utrecht University
• Zea Szebeni (University of Helsinki), Reko Elovainio (University of Helsinki), Borja Martinovic (Utrecht University), Tom Nijs (Utrecht University) and Inga JasinskajaLahti (University of Helsinki)
• Johanna Unewisse, Karlsruhe University of Education

Summary:
This panel investigates how feelings of collective psychological ownership influence societal inclusion and exclusion. It explores how majority group members perceive public space and resources in relation to newcomers and how these perceptions shape policy attitudes, trust, and intergroup relations. Findings suggest that psychological ownership can drive exclusionary attitudes, highlighting a need to reframe belonging in more inclusive terms.

Chair: Not listed
Date & Time: 20 June, 13:00-16:05

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.10
Presenters:

• Nina Conkova, Leyden Academy on Vitality and Ageing
• Peiyao Zhang, Utrecht University; Özge Bilgili, Utrecht University
• Jeevitha Yogachandiran Qvist, Aalborg University
• Koen Veldman1, Jelle Lössbroek1, Sophie Delfgaauw2, Kène Henkens1,3,4, Frank van Tubergen1,2, 1 NIDI-KNAW/RUG; 2 Utrecht University; 3 University of Groningen; 4 University of Amsterdam
• Sara Marcora1, Verena Seibel1, Marleen Damman2, Marcel Lubbers, Dora Sampaio
• Mustafa Firat1 and Jan Paul Heisig2, 1Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; 2 WZB Berlin Social Science Center and Freie Universität, Berlin, Germany
• Basak Bilecen, University of Groningen
• Milynn Koene, NIDI; Tineke Fokkeme, NIDI

Summary:
These two interconnected panels focus on the retirement experiences of older migrants. Topics include pension inequalities, aging in place, environmental and gendered barriers to migration in the context of climate change, and validation of inclusive ageing instruments. The panels emphasize life course inequalities, the role of social capital, and the need for culturally sensitive policies to promote equitable aging.

Chair: Elma Blom & Jellie Sierksma
Date & Time: 19 June, 13:00–14:30
Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 0.19
Presenters:

• Jellie Sierksma & Astrid Poorthuis, Developmental Psychology, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
• F. Zehra Çolak, Utrecht University, Department of Education, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
• Sauro Civitillo, Interdiscplinary Social Sciences, Utrecht University, The Netherlands
• Mirona Moraru, Arthur Bakker, Sanne Akkerman, Linda Zenger, Jantien Smit, Elma Blom
• Miranda Renders, Sergio Baauw, Marie Steffens, Departement Talen, Literatuur en Communicatie (TLC), Universiteit Utrecht, the Netherlands

Summary:
This panel explores how institutional and cultural contexts shape migrant children's education. It includes analyses of integration mediators in schools, language support frameworks, early education systems in Poland, and children's experiences of hope. The panel stresses the importance of intercultural competence and inclusive pedagogy for equitable educational outcomes.

Chair:

Date & Time: 20 June, 13:00-14:30
Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 0.17
Presenters:

• Silvia Erzeel1, Joke Matthieu1,2, and Laura Jacobs2 ; 1Department of Political Science, Vrije Universiteit Brussel; 2Department of Political Science, University of Antwerp
• Jasper Van Assche, Université libre de Bruxelles
• Campbell-Bethancourt, Eduardo; Damhuis, Koen; Lamont, Michèle; Lubbers, Marcel
• Anouk Smeekes, Utrecht University, Interdisciplinary Social Science; Koen Damhuis, Utrecht University, Utrecht University School of Governance

Summary:
This panel presents new insights into the drivers of support for populist-radical right parties. It examines class and cultural identity, individual perceptions of inequality, and political communication strategies. It also discusses algorithmic governance and its links to polarization. The panel contributes to understanding how migration intersects with broader societal shifts toward exclusionary politics.

Chair: Lars Leszczensky (Goethe University Frankfurt); Tobias Stark (Utrecht University)
Date & Time: 20 June, 14:35–16:05
Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.09
Presenters:

• David Kretschmer (Oxford University)
• Georg Lorenz (Utrecht University)
• Ashwin Rambaran (University of Nijmegen)
• Anniek Schlette (Utrecht University)

Summary:
This panel investigates migrant integration through the lens of social networks. It explores how social ties influence housing and neighbourhood choices, perceptions of social cohesion, and attitudes toward diversity. Quantitative and qualitative methods reveal how contact frequency, friendship networks, and spatial proximity shape migrants' integration experiences across Europe.

Chairs: Thomas Swerts & Laura Cleton (Erasmus University Rotterdam)
Date & Time: 19 June, 14:35–18:00
Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.10
Presenters (across both parts):

• Lalaine Siruno (Maastricht University) & Arjen Leerkes (Erasmus University Rotterdam) Bo ten Holder
• Thomas Swerts (Erasmus University Rotterdam); Raffaele Bazurli (Queen Mary University of London) and Carola Vasileiadi (Erasmus University Rotterdam) Nelleke Koffeman
• Jordan Dez and Lieneke Slingenberg (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)Helma Lutz
• Maud Korsten, Laura Cleton & Thomas Swerts (Erasmus University Rotterdam) Thomas Swerts
• Peter Vrieler (University of Amsterdam)
• Minke Hajer (Utrecht University)
• Nicolien de Gier, Universiteit Leiden

Summary:
This double panel analyzes policy shifts and local governance practices regarding undocumented migrants in the Netherlands. It assesses the effects of national restrictions, municipal responses, and civil society advocacy on service provision. The panels emphasize legal and political contestation, sanctuary city initiatives, and the precarity produced by fragmented policy landscapes.

Chair: Bianca Szytniewski & Dora Sampaio (Utrecht University)
Date & Time: 19 June, 14:35-16:05

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 0.22

Presenters:

• Jofelle Tesorio
• Norma Schemschat
• Carolien Lubberhuizen
• Cristina Buza
• Dora Sampaio and Bianca Szytniewski

Summary:
This panel examines rural areas as evolving sites of migration and labour mobility. It explores the experiences of seasonal and mobile workers, migrant-led development, and the creation of convivial spaces amidst labour precarity. Emphasis is placed on the social, economic, and cultural transformations driven by migrants in rural Europe.

Chair: Meta van der Linden (Utrecht University), Emanuele Politi (University of Leuven, Belgium) & Antoine Roblain (Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium)
Date & Time: 19 June, 13:00-14:30

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.11
Presenters:

• Ben van Enk1 2, Jaco Dagevos1 3, Agnieszka Kanas1 & Mieke Maliepaard2;
• Karelis Olivo Rumpf, Andreas Ette & Jean Philippe Décieux
• Leona Przechomski1, Kateryna Sytkina1, Andreas Ette1 & Eldad Davidov1 3

Summary:
This panel offers quantitative analyses of Ukrainian refugees’ settlement patterns and integration outcomes in the Netherlands and Germany. It explores labour market access, institutional responses, and the role of mobility trajectories. Findings shed light on the specific challenges and opportunities that define the post-displacement experiences of Ukrainian refugees.

Chair(s): Meta van der Linden (Utrecht University), Emanuele Politi (University of Leuven), Antoine Roblain (Université Libre de Bruxelles)
Date & Time: 19 June, 14:35-16:05

Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 0.17
Presenters:

• Diana Davila Gordillo (Lake Forest University), Leila Demarest (Leiden University), Katharina Natter (Leiden University), Juan Masullo (Leiden University) & Paolo Moncagatta (Universidad San Franciscio de Quito)
• Soha Abboud (Vrije Universiteit Brussel), Antoine Roblain (Vrije Universiteit Brussels), Zacharia Bady (University of Lausanne) & Emanuele Politi (KU Leuven)
• Jessica Gale (University of Lausanne) & Eva G. T. Green (University of Lausanne)

Summary:
This panel explores the psychological underpinnings of solidarity with refugees. It investigates public support differences toward various refugee groups, focusing on perceived deservingness, national and European identity, and the influence of narratives and policy structures. Through quantitative experiments and surveys, the panel shows that selective solidarity is shaped by both structural factors and psychological mechanisms.

Chair(s): Karine Duplan (University of Geneva), Ilse van Liempt (Utrecht University)
Date & Time: 19 June, 16:30–18:00
Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.17
Presenters:

• Bastian Neuhauser
• Karine Duplan
• Nora Komposch
• Ilse van Liempt

Summary:
This panel addresses how governance at the local level influences social inclusion, particularly in contexts of superdiversity. It highlights practices in both metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas and examines how policies can become more inclusive. Themes include refugee return decisions, settlement intentions, health access, and housing, underscoring the role of intersectionality in local policy innovation.

Chair: Semiha Bekir, Utrecht University
Date & Time: 19 June, 14:35–16:05
Location: Janskerkhof 2-3, room 1.11
Presenters:

• Francisco Plata (St. John Fisher University – Rochester, New York, USA)
• Eilam Saif (Refugee / Activist / Independent Researcher)
• Vaia Mesitsa (Radboud University)
• Williams Bethany (University of Cambridge)
• Laurence Herfs (Utrecht University)

Summary:

This panel explores forced migration through personal stories from Yemen, Syria, and Iraq, emphasizing storytelling’s role in fostering empathy and shaping policy. Presentations highlight a Yemeni refugee’s journey, Syrian migrants’ agency, Yazidis' post-genocide decisions, and VR’s humanitarian use. Together, they reveal how narratives humanize displacement, confront dominant discourses, and promote deeper understanding of migration's personal and political dimensions.