PhD Spring School 2026 ›Production of Migration‹

Meanings and debates around migration differ greatly across contexts. Yet, in many regions, migration policies have shifted to the center stage in political conflicts and agendas. Migration discourses have become highly politicized and reductionist, often reflecting anti-immigration sentiments and xenophobic attitudes. For PhD students seeking to research migration in a nuanced and reflexive manner, engaging with these societal tensions and debates without reproducing politicized framings and categorizations poses a challenge.

To create a space for exchange, the SFB 1604 ‘Production of Migration’ Integrated Research Training Group (IRTG) – a program comprising more than 20 PhD researchers – invites you to participate in an international and interdisciplinary PhD Spring School. We will explore migration as an academic phenomenon by considering multiple sites, actors and contexts and asking how, by whom, under which conditions and with what effects migration is ‘produced’.

We understand the ‘production of migration’ in a broad sense as a cultural, historical, social or political practice and process. Departing from the reflexive turn in migration studies, we will ask how to conceptualize ‘migration’ in a more reflexive way and integrate post-colonial and intersectional perspectives into our research and debates. We critically engage with existing theories, methods, approaches, and categorizations across a wide range of disciplines. Our discussions will not be limited to the academic sphere but involve experiences and perspectives of the public and cultural sector. Parts of our activities will be interactive and in exchange with local actors.

Organized in cooperation with:

FORMAT

The spring school takes place on-site at Osnabrück University in Lower Saxony/Germany. It will include a keynote lecture by Nina Glick-Schiller, several thematic sessions and workshops as well as interactive formats, e.g. with the local theatre and an excursion to the “Documentation Center and Museum of Migration in Germany” (DOMiD) in Cologne.

This spring school is characterized by a strong collaborative and participatory spirit. The event is self- and co-organized by the PhD researchers from the SFB. All participants are expected to present their work, either as a chapter/paper or as a poster. We aim to bring together engaged and critical PhDs working on the topic of ‘migration production’ in a supportive atmosphere. Our event offers the opportunity to closely exchange ideas, thoughts, methods, perspectives and approaches, learn from and inspire each other and network in an international and multidisciplinary academic environment.

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

We invite PhD researchers from the field of migration studies with original empirical, methodological or theoretical contributions at various stages of their PhD project, from all disciplines (for example sociology, political science, anthropology, human geography, history, law, psychology, critical race studies, post- colonial studies, religious studies, cultural or social studies, linguistics, media studies, science and technology studies, educational studies) and with diverse research approaches (qualitative, quantitative, theoretical, mixed or creative).

COSTS

Participation in this event is free of charge. Coffee, snacks and lunch will be provided. For a limited number of participants who do not have their own institutional funding, we provide scholarships that fully or partly cover travel and accommodation costs. Please indicate in your submission whether you require financial support.

SUGGESTED TOPICS

We welcome contributions on topics such as:

• Knowledge production on migration
• Reflexivity and reflexive approaches
• Labor migration and negotiations of skills, skilling or recognition
• Border practices
• Infrastructures of migration
• Postcolonial approaches
• Processes of in- and exclusion
• Gender and intersectional perspectives
• Categorization processes
• ‘Forced’ migration or climate-induced migration
• The role of public media and ‘migration experts’
• Racism, anti-immigrant sentiments and discrimination
• Belonging
• Migration in international, European and human rights law

CONFIRMED SPEAKERS

• Prof. em. Dr. Nina Glick Schiller (University of Manchester, United Kingdom)
• Prof. Dr. Janine Dahinden (University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland)
• Prof. Dr. Ayşe Çağlar (University of Vienna, Austria)
• Prof. Dr. Shahram Khosravi (Stockholm University, Sweden)
• Dr. Nader Talebi (Humboldt University Berlin, Germany)
• Prof. Dr. Valentina Mazzucato (Maastricht University, the Netherlands)
• Representatives of the IMISCOE PhD Network