In the past years, migration studies have witnessed the renewal of theoretical frameworks, the emergence of new methodologies, numerous empirical studies, and increased collaboration among researchers, all with the aim of improving our understanding of migration. The 22nd edition of the IMISCOE Annual Conference will seek to foster a pluralistic conference of epistemological dialogue and collective reflexivity that challenges the ways in which migration research is produced. The majority of research on migration has been conducted by scientific institutions and published in English, with an emphasis on immigration. The objective is to challenge conventional representations of the migration phenomenon by adopting a decentered perspective, thereby exposing the biases that contribute to an incomplete understanding of the complexities of contemporary migrations.

Geographical decentering is a necessary step in order to move away from a representation of international migration that is generally oversimplified as flows primarily from “poorer” to “richer” regions, or non-Western to Western countries. This shift facilitates a more comprehensive comprehension of the evolving patterns and dynamics of contemporary migration, including the phenomenon of forced displacement. For instance, the Ukrainian conflict has prompted a reorientation of reference points and the emergence of a novel East-West logic that has redefined the constants of migration. This has led to the emergence of a specific female socio-demographic profile and distinctive return dynamics. A historical decentering is also necessary to overcome the misconception that recent events, such as the so-called migration crisis of 2015, are "unprecedented". It is imperative to transcend the constraints of the ahistorical crisis paradigm that pervades both the public and academic discourses on migratory movements. In the field of migration governance and public policy studies, a decentered approach to the institutions and actors involved (governmental institutions, non-governmental organisations, smugglers, migrants, etc.) also shapes the way interactions, narratives, and practices are conceived. Lastly, an epistemological decentering, strongly incorporating non-Western narratives and interpretative theories, is absolutely necessary for a more nuanced and renewed understanding of migration issues.

For the 22nd IMISCOE Annual Conference in Paris, we invite submissions of Individual Paper Proposals, Workshop Proposals, and Panel Proposals that contribute to decenter migration studies. Panels should be either fully in-person (with all participants at the venue) or fully online (with participants joining remotely). A very limited number of hybrid panels (up to a maximum of 5 sessions per timeslot) could potentially be accommodated in exceptional circumstances (health issues, visa restrictions, special care needs), when duly justified and notified to the IMISCOE Network Office prior to the finalisation of the registration process. Submissions for contributions are open from 3rd of July 2024.

Organizers

French Collaborative Institute on Migration (Institut Convergences Migrations, IC Migrations), Campus Condorcet, France

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Individual Paper Proposals

Paper proposals should include a 250-word abstract and the name(s), affiliation(s), and contact details of the author(s). Individual papers will be thematically clustered into panels. We strongly encourage authors to highlight the conceptual and methodological novelty of their contribution.

Submit an individual paper proposal

Panel Proposals

Panel proposals should include a 250-word abstract of the theme of the panel, together with min 3/max 5 thematically consistent and related 250-word paper abstracts. Submissions should also include the names, affiliations and contact details of the chair(s), discussant(s) and author(s) of each paper.

Submit a panel proposal

Workshop Proposals

Proposals can also be submitted for workshops. This can be, for example, book workshops, policy workshops or roundtables focusing on specific topics, with the aim of discussing research or outlining future research agendas. Submissions for workshops should include a maximum of 400-word abstract as well as the names, affiliations and contact details of the organizer(s) and workshop participants (up to 10 participants, excluding the workshop chairs).

Submit a workshop proposal

Paper, panel, and workshop proposals will have to be linked to a Specific IMISCOE Standing Committee or to the Open Section. Please check the description of all IMISCOE Standing Committees and select the one more aligned to the topic of your proposal. Please note that the Open Section should only be used for proposals which do not have a direct thematic link with any IMISCOE Standing Committee.

• SC Education and Social Inequality
• SC Families, Welfare, Care and the Life Course
• SC Forced Migration and Refugees
• SC Gender and Sexuality in Migration Research
• SC Migration, Migrants and Labour Markets
• SC Methodological Approaches and Tools in Migration Research
• SC Migrant Transnationalism
• SC Migration, Citizenship and Political Participation
• SC Migration Politics and Governance
• SC Race, Racism and Discrimination
• SC Reflexivities in Migration Studies
• SC Superdiversity, Migration and Cultural Change

Conditions/requirements

The deadline for submitting proposals is 8th October 2024 (23:59 CEST) (Extended). All submissions should be made online via this page (see the buttons above). When submitting proposals, applicants must choose their intended mode of participation: ON-SITE in Paris-Aubervilliers or ONLINE. Please note that the 2025 Annual Conference is not envisaged to be fully blended: panels and workshops running throughout the conference days will be expected to take place either fully on-site or fully online. A very limited number of hybrid panels (up to a maximum of 5 sessions per timeslot) could potentially be accommodated in exceptional circumstances (health issues, visa restrictions, special care needs), when duly justified and notified to the IMISCOE Network Office prior to the finalisation of the registration process. Applicants will be informed about the acceptance of their submission towards mid-end of January 2025. Applicants may be the lead presenter of only one accepted paper in the conference and may appear up to a maximum of 3 times in any other active role (as chair, discussant and/or workshop organiser/participant). The conference may be fully online if any other exceptional situation imposes it.

Conference registration fees*

*These new registration fees that have been adjusted for inflation were approved by the IMISCOE Board of Directors on the 3rd of July 2023.