Justice, Borders, and Rights

The Justice, Borders and Rights research stream consists of a group of researchers from a range of disciplinary and interdisciplinary backgrounds whose work grapples with some of the most salient and polarizing debates around borders. Our work interrogates the social, cultural and political repercussions of and knowledge production around border practices -  issues are at the forefront of old and new debates about conflict and global inequalities. Our work is characterised by research partnerships, collaborations and knowledge exchange projects between academics, NGOs, INGOs, international media and cultural organisations, social welfare institutions, community organisations, legal professionals, policy makers, artists and politicians.

BREAKING NEWS!

Book Launch Webinar:  Translocational Belongings:  Intersectional Dilemmas and Social Inequalities by Floya Anthias:  14 September

SSAHE (Social Scientists Against the Hostile Environment), CMRB (Centre for research on Migration, Refugees and Belonging at the University of East London) and the C&G SRA (Citizenship and Governance Strategic Research Area at the Open University) are pleased to announce the launch of Professor Floya Anthias' book:  Translocational Belongings:  Intersectional Dilemmas and Social Inequalities

The book launch webinar will take place on September 14 at 5pm BST.  Eventbrite link

Refugee Week during COVID-19

The Open University has produced a set of learning and research resources on refugees to celebrate Refugee Week 2020, led by Professor Marie Gillespie, member of the Justice, Borders and Rights research stream of the Citizenship and Governance SRA.  From free online courses and resarch on how refugees are navigating life during the COVID-19 pandemic, to creative and artistic projects in refugee camps, and with chld migrants separated from their families, there is so much to learn.  The Open University has a rich archive of material that we want to share with you - material created by, with, for and about refugees.

Understanding Refugee Experiences will be of interest to anyone who wants to deepen their knowledge of the legal-political, economic and socio-cultural policies and frameworks that shape their lives.  It also reveals the many 'small acts' of artistic resistance to marginalisation as well as practical and creative expressions of solidarity networks.  So if you are interested in the challenges facing asylum seekers, refugees and the undocumeted as well as the many contributions they make to the UK, then take a moment to browse these pages and share them.

We all have much to learn from refugee experiences, especially at a moment when the global pandemic is disproportionately affecting minoritised and racialised groups and forcing us to reconsider who we are in relation to each other, what our responsibilities are as individuals, what community and solidarity now mean and to imagine better futures based on shared values of reciprocity, inclusion and equal rights for all.  Find out more.

OU academics publish blog on the future of UK citizenship

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OU academics/Justice, Borders and Rights stream members Dr Agnes Czajka and Dr Eleni Andreouli have published a blog on the future of UK citizenship.

In August 2019, the think tank British Future launched an independent inquiry into UK citizenship policy, chaired by Alberto Costa MP, inviting experts to submit evidence.  In response, one group of academics and NGOs came together to map an agenda for citizenship policy in the UK.  This blog summarises some of their recommendations.

Justice Border, Rights Stream Lead Dr Umut Erel's article 'Migrant Mothers: performing kin work and belonging across private and public boundaries' has been selected as one of the Families, Relationships and Societies' new Editors Choice articles as featured on Bristol University Press website As part of this collection the article is now available to download for free until 31 January 2020. @FRSjournal

​The Discover Society feature 'Speaking Up, Not Talking Down' on representation of refugees, with contributions from Dr Umut Erel is now available.

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​Justice, Borders and Rights video playlist

Justice, Borders, and Rights engages with struggles for inclusion, recognition and representation against a backdrop of the construction, reconstruction, deconstruction and transgression of borders. Our key focus is on borders, conceived of in their myriad symbolic and material varieties, and how they frame, shape and define people, institutions, communities and nations. Researchers also look at how people challenge borders and construct communities and bridges across borders, including through international cultural exchange, media and communication networks.