WORKSHOP: Irregular Migration and Southern Europe Workshop

10th Annual IMISCOE Conference Crisis and Migration- Perceptions, Challenges and Consequences
Malmö, Sweden, 25-27 August 2013

Call for Papers
Irregular migration and southern Europe
Workshop: Irregular migration and southern Europe
Workshop convenors: Daniela DeBono, Russell King and Ioanna Tsoni

The aim of this workshop is to explore irregular migration in southern European countries such as Portugal, Spain, Italy, Malta, Greece, Cyprus and others. There will be an attempt to identify issues, patterns and processes common to countries in this region, as well as differences. Researchers working in this field are aware of the dearth of spaces available for such discussions. This is reflected in the lack of edited collections or special issues focusing specifically on this phenomenon in this region. If there is enough material, the papers presented in this workshop could be presented to a publisher.

Southern European countries, in particular current EU Member States, share similar migration histories, being traditionally countries of emigration but now having to deal with large numbers of immigrants. Being geopolitically located on the southern EU borders, these countries are likely to continue receiving large irregular migrant flows in spite of the current economic crisis and high unemployment. In addition, the Dublin System has created a situation whereby these countries remain ‘responsible’ for asylum seekers, including those which ‘move on’ to northern European countries. Many of these countries, with a dark track record of violations of human rights of irregular migrants, are now dealing with increasing challenges to maintain fair asylum determination systems while irregular migrants are facing increasing hostility from host communities.

Although the rationale for this workshop is built on similarities within the region, the general tendency to project ‘southern European countries’ as a homogenous area will be consciously avoided and contributions of a comparative nature highlighting differences will be welcome.



Researchers are invited to submit abstracts which broadly serve to feed into the discussion of irregular migration in southern European countries such as (but not only!) the experiences of irregular migrants in southern European countries, reactions of the host communities to irregular migrants, the development of immigration policies, state reactions to the Dublin System and Frontex, the conditions and use of migrant detention centres, access to asylum and protection benefits, participation of irregular migrants in the labour market and so on. The organisers encourage contributions from different areas of study such as migration studies, geography, anthropology, sociology, history, law, politics, human rights, economics and so on.

Abstracts should be sent to Daniela DeBono at daniela.debono@mah.se by Friday 31st May 2013. Questions or clarifications prior to abstract submission should be directed to the same email address.

The Call for Papers can be found online at the conference website:
http://www.imiscoeconferences.org/ , or at the direct link: http://tinyurl.com/ctgt83u

Context and host
The workshop will take place at the 10th IMISCOE Annual Conference, 26 – 27 August 2013 in Malmö, Sweden, which brings together researchers from the IMISCOE (International Migration, Integration and Social Cohesion in Europe) Research Network and other academic and research institutions in Europe.

Important dates
• 31 May 2013: Deadline for submission of abstracts
• 12 June 2013: Notification of acceptance decisions
• 1 August 2013: Deadline for submission of full papers
• 1 August 2013: Deadline for IMISCOE Conference Registration

Registration
All conference presenters must register for the conference. For more information on how to register please visit the conference website: www.imiscoeconferences.org

Travel expenses and fees
No support will be available towards the cost of accommodation and/or travel and the conference fee.