Researchers from the University of Westminster have begun work on a HERA/CHANSE-funded project to change current narratives on migration and enhance cultural exchange. The consortium of researchers across five European countries will be led by Professor Roza Tsagarousianou, Professor of Media and Migration at Westminster.
The research project titled CMD: The Crisis of Migration Discourse – A Participatory Approach for a New Lexicon of Migration was awarded funding from the Collaboration of Humanities and Social Sciences in Europe (CHANSE). Co-created by HERA and NORFACE research networks, CHANSE aims to finance high-quality international research projects and inspire collaboration between researchers and various stakeholder groups.
Led by Professor Tsagarousianou at the University of Westminster, the research consortium brings together institutions and organisations from five European countries to advocate and promote a fairer lexicon of migration that aims to challenge current discourses and practices of migration management across Europe. This will be achieved through four modules carried out by collaborating research teams across each of the five countries.
Professor Tsagarousianou’s work as a Primary Investigator for the UK and Italy will be supported by her co-investigators, Dr Federica Mazzara, Reader in Cultural Studies at the University of Westminster, and Professor Federico Faloppa from the University of Reading. The research team in France will be led by Dr Helene Thiollet of CNRS-Sciences Po, while in Denmark Dr Anne Vestergaard will lead work at Copenhagen Business School. In Spain, research will be led by Dr Alicia Ferrandez at the University of Alicante.
The universities will also work alongside three collaborating organisations to facilitate intercultural and participatory encounters with migrants. These include migrant-led national organisation Migrant Voice in the UK, ITASTRA language school in Italy and non-profit advocacy organisation COPSE across the EU.
Beginning with module one, the research teams will examine and compare how institutional narratives link migration to crises, illegality and criminality across Europe. The second module will work with migrants to create an alternative Lexicon on migration that is informed by their own experiences, while module three will work with stakeholders in education, journalism and advocacy to test integration and empowerment strategies for their new lexicon.
The project will conclude with the development of a training programme in module four, which will consist of a Toolkit for Action, online training workshops and YouTube training videos to provide guidance for educators, media and policymakers to shift the current negative narratives of migration. This work reflects the University’s research and knowledge exchange objective to find solutions to make a difference to the world, as well as its institutional commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
About the project Professor Tsagarousianou said: We are pleased that HERA/CHANSE recognised the value of our project. In particular, we are pleased that we will have funding to work towards challenging and shifting the current narratives and practices of migration management that are based on the illegalisation and criminalisation of specific mobilities. Through our work we will argue for and promote narratives and policies which will ultimately foster solidarity with the collective migrant ‘other’.
This project directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 10: Reduced Inequalities, 16: Peace Justice and Strong Institutions and 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Find out more about research at the University of Westminster.
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