Credits: Migration & Borders Working Group
By Kris van der Pas and Samuel Ballin
Introduction
The Migration and Borders Working Group of the Netherlands Network for Human Rights Research (NNHRR) is an active network for migration scholars at all stages of their academic career, with early career researchers such as PhD candidates often taking a major role in coordinating and in organising events. The working group is open to researchers with an interest in thematic and/or methodological issues related to human rights, borders and (all forms of) migration and mobility. It is one of the longest-running working groups within the NNHRR and was established in 2018. As well as regular events throughout the year, the working group maintains a newsletter through which the members are kept up to date about each other's publications, vacancies and other relevant news – including events being organised within and outside the working group.
Past activities
The Migration and Borders Working Group has organized different types of events in the past. These range from more formal events, such as seminars and symposia, to more informal events, such as work-in-progress sessions and social activities. We always try to combine serious aspects of being in academia, e.g. discussing recent developments, with pleasant ‘borrels’ and networking opportunities. This has led to a tight-knit community of migration and human rights scholars throughout the Netherlands.
Interdisciplinary legal research on migration and the human rights of migrants
In 2022, the working group organized a workshop on doing interdisciplinary legal research in migration law and on the human rights of migrants. This event was not only supported by the NNHRR, but also by the Dutch Association for Migration Research (DAMR). The idea for this workshop came from a meeting of members of the working group and three early career scholars from different universities took on the task of organizing this workshop. They were interviewed about the workshop, which can be found here. Three senior scholars were invited to discuss their experience with and views on interdisciplinarity in legal research. This workshop had a great online and offline attendance.
Decolonizing migration law
Echoing a larger development in the field of migration research, the working group devoted a workshop to the topic of decolonization and migration law research and teaching. In the first part of this workshop, an interactive discussion was held with guidance of two experienced scholars and teachers on the topic. The workshop revolved around practical aspects of this debate, for example by discussing the inclusion of works by scholars from the Global South in research and teaching.
Careers and work-life balance
A major theme in academia currently is maintaining a healthy work-life balance, while also wanting to progress in your academic career. Therefore, the working group organized an event in 2024 on this topic specifically for those working in migration and human rights research. Three panellists, at different stages in their career after obtaining their PhD, held a lively discussion with several early career scholars in the migration field. Several matters were discussed, such as career trajectories, balancing an academic career with family life, and CV building.
Mock defences for PhDs
The working group has held numerous mock defences for PhD candidates in the past. Usually, these are held online to include a range of members from different universities. Participants are asked to read a chapter of the dissertation and prepare a critical question. The PhD candidate can practice for the real defence in this way, as the mock defence mimics the actual style of a PhD defence. This means that the laymen’s talk is practiced, and time management is important. After the mock defence, members of the working group give feedback to the PhD candidate, to prepare them for the real thing!
Work-in-progress sessions
Writing a PhD thesis and/or academic articles can be a long and burdensome ordeal. A valuable aspect of an academic community is the opportunity to discuss work that is still in progress. Therefore, our working group has accommodated for this by organizing work-in-progress sessions. These sessions take place either online or in person and can be linked to another event or seminar. Working group members are asked to read the work-in-progress of others and give feedback. Usually, one person (internal or external to the working group) is assigned as discussant and reads the piece in detail. The feedback provided on earlier works-in-progress has led to revised (PhD) chapters and published academic articles.
Planned future events
Demigranticizing migration and integration research
The working group is organising a PhD workshop on the theme of ‘de-migranticizing migration and integration research’, which is expected to take place in January 2025. on moving beyond legal categories as primary analytical tools in migration studies. The workshop will offer a broader, more nuanced understanding of migration, focusing on the complex political, social, and economic factors driving migration, and will critically assess how these factors evolve in different contexts over time and. It will explore ways for researchers to apply layers of identity in a more contextual manner, rather than defaulting to state-imposed legal categories.
Joint event (with Human Rights in the Digital Age): Managing migration in a digital age
The Migration and Borders Working Group is currently organising a workshop together with the NNHRR Working Group on Human Rights in the Digital Age, on ‘the technological frontier: managing migration in the age of globalisation’. This workshop aims to address pressing issues related to the digitalisation of migration management in a globalised environment, such as AI, data sharing and the use of drones, cameras and audio technology in border control. Key themes include the challenges to fundamental rights and the rule of law, alongside questions of accountability, vulnerability, citizenship and crimmigration. The workshop is currently planned to take place in March 2025, with details to be announced shortly.
For more information on future events of the Migration and Borders Working Group and to find out about how to join as a member, please contact Nesli Soylu, Irina Fehr & Kris van der Pas.