Borders and Migration

Program Leader: Dr Valentina Baú (ICS) and Dr Melissa Phillips (SoSS)

Photo generated using Gemini by Dr Valentina Baú

The Borders and Migration Research Program brings together researchers working on diverse aspects of migration, including forced displacement, climate migration, diaspora studies and refugee studies. Informed by engaged research, the Program offers a platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, grant submissions and events organised in relation to migration policies and practices. Borders and Migration addresses pressing issues to support and enable the expression of migrant and refugee communities, and assists in the formulation of policies that enhance the living conditions of affected communities. The Program aims to co-produce research that registers and legitimises the knowledge of those with lived experience of displacement and migration, who are confronted with both institutional and practical constraints. The Program advocates for inclusive and supportive outcomes that have an impact in the communities we work with, and nurtures relationships between scholars and migrant and refugee communities.

Migration is a cross-cutting issue for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Additionally SDGs 4, 5, 8, 10, 11 and 16 are at the core of this Program’s agenda. Social cohesion, social inclusion and the production of policy that cultivates diversity drive the inquiry of Borders and Migration researchers. The Program facilitates and fosters collaboration through the establishment of a strong network of industry partnerships, which are key in promoting knowledge that enhances understanding and addresses both enabling and constraining structures on migration across society.

Evidence of Research Concentration: Research projects in various stages of development include qualitative and intersectional approaches to unpacking the social and cultural needs of cancer patients within the CALD community; investigation of intercultural approaches and migrant musicians; outreach to improve industry partnerships and engagement on migration policy with experts from key stakeholder organisations. Given the early stages of this Program, significant effort is also focused on building a profile internally and externally to encourage greater inter-disciplinary approaches and project development. This includes exploring connections with other Research Programs and WSU’s Research Themes.