Autumn Research Academy 2023 (for UoC)

DiaMiGo Autumn Research Academy at the University of Cologne

Infrastructuring Migration | Migrating Infrastructures?

Cologne – 16-20 October 2023

Call for participation for students of the University of Cologne

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Are you a Bachelor's or Master’s Student at the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology or at the Institute of Languages and Cultures of the Islamicate World? Are you interested in the topic of migration in the Mediterranean Region and want to exchange your ideas with students from the American University in Cairo and benefit from the expertise of many distinguished speakers during our Autumn Research Academy at the University of Cologne? Are you willing to participate in other activities and maybe be eligible to travel to Egypt in 2024? Then have a look at this call for participation and know more about our activities.

Abstract

The DiaMiGo Autumn Research Academy “Infrastructuring Migration | Migrating Infrastructures?” explores current changes and debates connected to the Mediterranean as a border region and in this context to migration and mobility in the wider Mediterranean region from an interdisciplinary perspective. The overarching conceptual focus is on infrastructuring migration. This entails a praxeological perspective that sees (infra)structures not as fixed entities, but as mutually shaped and shifting in the very process of migration itself. Migrants and refugees not just actively rely on and build their own infrastructures – thus infrastructuring migration – likewise adapt, interfere, and change border regimes according to specific local situations and demands. So, might one even speak of migrating infrastructures of control and migration? This approach implies a focus on localized settings and situated practices of bordering and calls for a broad understanding of migration, that includes not only the movement of people, but also the movement of objects,ideas, as well as more-than-human (MTH) entities (such as viruses, toxins, plants, and animals). Such an understanding of infrastructures of migration emphasizes the entanglement of human beings with material aspects that are involved in migration and its governance. The DiaMiGo Research Academy will explore this approach through three different, yet intertwined areas of interest, that co-structure contemporary practices and debates concerning migration and governance in the Mediterranean: 1) human mobility and autonomy of migration; 2) religion and migration, and 3) more-than-human migration.

The DiaMiGo Research Academy is a collaboration between the University of Cologne and the American University of Cairo. It consists of two parts: the upcoming Autumn Academy in Cologne (16 – 20 October 2023) will focus on an actor/object-centered perspective on migration infrastructures. The second part, to be held in Cairo (2024) will shift its focus to governance perspectives on migration infrastructures, such as recent changes of legal infrastructures and border regimes that implement policies and regulate different kinds of mobilities in the Mediterranean. By consistently focusing on the three areas of interest throughout both events, the DiaMiGo Research Academy aims to provide a comprehensive discussion of current approaches and dynamics of migration.

1. Human Mobility and Autonomy of Migration

In recent years, migration has often been declared in mass-mediated public discourse and the dominant political debate to be a “crisis” that needs to be controlled and often to be hindered through myriad tactics of bordering. Alongside the proliferation of migrant struggles and suffering in transit border zones across the planet, the Mediterranean Sea has incontestably earned the disgraceful distinction of being the epicenter of border crossings and a European death scape (De Genova 2017).

This first theme addresses topics related to the autonomy of migration (Moulier Boutang 2007) and the aspirations of migrants (De Genova 2017, de Haas 2021). It examines migrating infrastructures that are strategically used by migrants to reach their destinations. For instance, in times of securitization and criminalization of migration, aspiring migrants are forced to take irregular routes and to count on non-state actors and informal solidarity networks to reach their destinations. In contrast to common political and public narratives, non-state actors or facilitators encompass more than smugglers and human traffickers. Smugglers can include individuals seeking to migrate themselves (Belloni 2019), family members and friends (DeNicola 2013), or migration brokers (Alpes 2017). Moreover, in the context of the criminalization of migration, NGOs and activists rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean are sometimes accused of engaging in human. Hence, we will also discuss the humanitarian-security nexus from non-state actors’ perspective (Andersson 2017, Heller & Pezzani 2017). At the same time aspiring migrants, facilitators, and activists are constantly confronted with another crucial aspect of migrating infrastructures: the continuous adaptation of infrastructures of migration and control in the name of more efficient and more humanitarian regulation and control of the Mediterranean border.

2. Religion and Migration

The second theme explores the various ways in which religion influences migration across the Mediterranean, by considering both religious beliefs and infrastructures (material and immaterial), that influence the circulation of people, objects, and ideas between Europe and the MENA-Region. Drawing on conceptual approaches to religion and mobility, contemporary case studies will be discussed that shed light on religion as a crucial aspect affecting migration-related practices in the region. Examples of case studies to be discussed include the use and implementation of religious (infra)structures by migrants of different religious denominations, such as ancient pilgrimage routes (Christian or Muslim) that facilitate their journey to Europe, or the re-use of abandoned colonial Christian buildings for worship and protection (Berriane 2020). Such examples raise the question not only of how religion structures migration, but also of how migration creates new religious structures, both in terms of religious politics and belief practices. Religion is also deeply intertwined with the border regimes between the northern and southern shores of the Mediterranean, where Islamophobia and an emphasis on a supposedly Judeo-Christian European heritage drive discriminatory policies. Beyond the conventional (and Eurocentric) focus in migration studies on south-north migration, we will also consider how religion influences north-south migration in the Mediterranean, such as former ‘guest workers’ returning to their roots for religious reasons, or European Muslims seeking refuge in Muslim countries in the Mediterranean, due to Islamophobia. We will also examine the many ways in which religious faith offers comfort and hope to migrants in times of danger and despair.

3. More-Than-Human Migration

Under this theme, we explore different kinds of more-than-human (MTH) mobilities, such as drug trafficking, the trade and smuggling of goods and animals, pollution and invasive species, as well as the migration of spiritual beings. Following the DiaMiGo research academy’s overarching conceptual focus on infrastructuring and the materiality of migration, we are especially interested in how concrete forms of more-than-human mobilities are entangled with human migration frameworks. How do MTH and human migration frameworks resemble, complement, diverge, or even oppose each other? And to what extent are their entanglements determined by the legacies of colonialism to the present day? Drawing on specific ethnographic examples and case studies, we will highlight the need for situated (ethnographic) approaches and analysis of species-specific forms of migration. In doing so, we focus on the intersection of different border regimes with certain regulatory and legal infrastructures including classification systems, or disease and quarantine control and animal mobility management systems. These range from defining concepts of “natural habitat” to “invasive species” or “energy rights” and “resource politics”, which in turn form certain rationales to spatially locate places, humans and non-human-animals (Green 2022), thus also legitimizing or restricting certain forms of mobility over others. We also address the effects of these specific regulatory and legal infrastructures on facilitating or restricting the spatial movements of MTHs within national borders and across borders on (inter)regional scales.

DiaMiGo Activities and Requirements of Participation

DiaMiGo Activities will take place during the Winter Semester 2023/24 and Summer Semester 2024. Your participation will grant you 6 Credit Points for each semester.
Activities during the Winter Semester 2023/24 include: the DiaMiGo Autumn Research Academy (16-20 Ocotber 2023) at the University of Cologne and an online lecture series offered by scholars and researchers of the University of Cologne and the American University in Cairo. In Addition to an accompanying Seminar offered by Karim Zafer and Prof. Sabine Damir-Geilsdorf, where we will meet together three to five times on Fridays at 4pm at the Ethno-Library (more information soon on Klips, DiaMiGo Part I, Nr. 145067102). The attendance is mandatory.You also need to apply for the Seminar on Klips.
Additionally you will be asked to contribute to DiaMiGo Online Blog (more information during the accompanying seminar). Contributions to the online blog is a team-work between students of the University of Cologne and the American University in Cairo.
Activities during Summer Semester 2024 include: the DiaMiGo Short Course in Cairo (fully funded) and an Accompanying Seminar at the University of Cologne. For the Examination Requirements, you will need to produce a report related to DiaMiGO Activities.
Participants at DiaMiGo Activities in Winter Semester 2023/24 with highest engagement and best performance are prioritized to participate in DiaMiGo activities in Summer 2024 and to travel to Cairo, Egypt.

Who is eligible to participate?

Bachelor's and Master’s students at the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology and at the Institute of Languages and Cultures of the Islamicate World at the University of Cologne
Strong interest and previous knowledge on the topic of migration
Very good English knowledge

Needed documents for your application

Your C.V.
Motivation letter (max. 2 pages) stating why you are interested in this topic of the Autumn Research Academy in 2023 and your expected contributions and benefits should be highlighted and justifies
Proof of enrollment from the University

Scientific and organising committee

Cologne Team

Dr. Christoph Lange, Dr. Nina ter Laan, Karim Zafer
Prof. Dr. Michaela Pelican, Prof. Dr. Martin Zillinger, Prof. Dr. Sabine Damir-Geilsdorf

Cairo Team

Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Awad, Prof. Dr. Gerda Heck, Prof. Dr. Maysa Ayoub, Elena Habersky, Prof. Dr. Amira Ahmed

Contact in Cologne

Karim Zafer, Project Coordinator
k.zaferverw.uni-koeln.de

Contact in Cairo

Elena Habersky, Project Coordinator at the CMRS
emhaberskyaucegypt.edu

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DiaMiGo Autumn Research Academy at the University of Cologne

Infrastructuring Migration | Migrating Infrastructures?

Call for participation for students of the University of Cologne

Abstract

1. Human Mobility and Autonomy of Migration

2. Religion and Migration

3. More-Than-Human Migration

DiaMiGo Activities and Requirements of Participation

Who is eligible to participate?

Needed documents for your application

Scientific and organising committee

Apply here via our Application Form
Deadline extended: Closed

DiaMiGo Autumn Research Academy at the University of Cologne

Infrastructuring Migration | Migrating Infrastructures?

Call for participation for students of the University of Cologne

Abstract

1. Human Mobility and Autonomy of Migration

2. Religion and Migration

3. More-Than-Human Migration

DiaMiGo Activities and Requirements of Participation

Who is eligible to participate?

Needed documents for your application

Scientific and organising committee

Apply here via our Application FormDeadline extended: Closed

Apply here via our Application Form
Deadline extended: Closed