[BelMix Seminar Series] Nick Mai - Mobile Orientations: What does a focus on emotions, gender and sexuality add to the understanding of migration processes?

BelMix Seminar Series

Speaker: Nick MAI (University of Leicester)

Title: Mobile Orientations: What does a focus on emotions, gender and sexuality add to the understanding of migration processes?

Date: Friday 25 October 10am - 11:30am

Place - ULB - Campus Solbosch (Building S), 15th floor, room S.15.215

Abstract: In today's globalized world, characterised by heightened mobility, inequalities and communication, migration has become reframed by competing narratives of successful self-realisation that are more visibly shaped by gendered, affective, and sexual relationships, attachments, and expectations. These factors intersect with political and economic constraints and frame people’s decision to move to have better lives and escape poverty or socio-political oppression. Building on the established "sexual" and "emotional" turns in migration studies, and incorporating Nick Mai’s concept of "mobile orientation," this paper will argue that focusing on sexuality and emotions reveals the pivotal role desire plays in shaping migration processes. It demonstrates that exploring these dimensions offers valuable insights into the motivations and lived experiences of migrants, enhancing our understanding of agency within the context of neoliberal migration beyond traditional economic or political explanations.

Bio: Nick Mai is a sociologist, ethnographer and filmmaker working as Professor of Criminology at the School of Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy of the University of Leicester, UK. His research, publications and films focus on the lives of stigmatised, criminalised and marginalised migrants and of communities affected by ecological distress resulting from the loss of their home environment.Through collaborative, participative and co-creative methodologies his work aims to put the priorities, needs and trajectories of research participants at the centre of the elaboration of the findings, representations and policies concerning them.

Registration required - URL: shorturl.at/Cy9HE