Prof. dr. E.M.H. (Helena) Houvenaghel

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The Fenix Network for Research on Women Exiles & Migrants (https://fenix.sites.uu.nl/) concentrates on women's migratory movements to and from Spain and Latin America throughout the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. Established in 2015 by Eugenia Helena Houvenaghel, -the network's coordinator-, FENIX is an international and interdisciplinary research network. Its inception aligned with the year of Europe's refugee and migrant crisis.

FENIX facilitates the collaboration of researchers across different fields to exchange their perspectives on the experiences of women exiles and migrants. The network connects scholars specializing in Literary Studies, History, Art History, and Gender Studies focusing its efforts on three key areas:

1.Literary and Artistic Perspective: The network concentrates on the artistic and literary expressions of migrant and exiled women from and to Spain and Latin America throughout the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. These creations serve as testimonials to their journeys of displacement, experiences as newcomers, and the dynamics of transnational networking and identity development.

2.Historical exploration: The Fenix Network delves into women migrants' experiences during three different centuries, offering insights into various time periods and changing circumstances. This examination sheds light on how these individuals navigated the challenges posed by displacement, providing a comprehensive understanding of the historical evolution of coping mechanisms across different eras.

3.Gender emphasis: Women exiles and migrants play a pivotal role not only in the trajectory of displacement but also in subsequent integration processes within the host country and the preservation of the culture and language of their country of origin. Despite their crucial role, narratives from women about the journey of displacement, adaptation, and identity development are often eclipsed, resulting in the prevailing portrayal of the refugee experience being shaped predominantly by a male perspective.

The Fenix network aspires to push forward the studies of women's exile and migration to and from Spain and Latin America by harnessing the collective strenghts and expertise of all its members. It offers a range of research activities, encompassing an annual congress, smaller thematic seminars, along with the publication of two joint thematic works each year.

For additional information, please visit https://fenix.sites.uu.nl.