Events

Forced migration and displacement in the context of violent conflicts and natural disasters have been on the rise for years. At the same time, right-wing populist voices against immigration and people seeking protection are gaining attention and influence in many countries.

The 5th Conference of the German Network of Forced Migration Studies aims to shed light on the global, regional and local contexts of forced migration and displacement, including the causes and trends that force people into mobility, but also immobility. Contributions to the Conference may address a variety of issues, such as the geopolitical, economic, social and other factors that contribute to forced displacement worldwide. Case studies from different countries, regions and communities can show how different actors are responding to migration and what strategies have been developed to address the challenges of forced migration and displacement.

The Conference will also look at the challenges and obstacles faced by refugees and their host communities, as well as the positive impacts that immigration can have. These include issues of integration, social justice, access to education and adequate health care, as well as issues related to the protection of human rights. Gender-critical, queer and post/de-colonial perspectives are particularly welcome, as are reflections on ethical dimensions, research-reflective contributions and discourse-analytical approaches that illuminate the interrelationships between media, politics, civil society and academia. In addition, contributions may address the role of the media in producing discourses of forced migration and integration, how these influence policy and practice, and how academics position themselves in this regard. Finally, the Conference will look at best practices and innovative solutions that address global refugee movements, including initiatives and strategies from policy, civil society, education and research. In particular, the Conference aims to highlight the role of refugee organisations and their important role in the further development of the global refugee protection system to adequately take into account refugees and their perspectives. 

The Conference aims to reach refugee and non-refugee academics at all career stages, practitioners, students and interested parties. The submission process for this year's Forced Migration Studies Conference is in two stages. Proposals for panels, workshops and roundtables can be submitted until 7 January 2024. An abstract (max. 250 words) explaining the topic, concept, etc. of the respective contribution is required. After the proposals have been reviewed, researchers can apply with abstracts for the accepted panels/roundtables/ workshops between February 2024 and March 2024. In the second phase, applications for posters will also be open (abstracts are required).

Panels:  Panels should address specific topics or issues and consist of a maximum of three presentations. Interdisciplinary panels are encouraged. Time limit for the entire panel:  90 minutes.
Submission requirements:  Panel title, panel chair, abstract of max. 250 words, hybrid or face-to-face event.     

Roundtable:  Roundtables are discussion forums with 4-6 people on a podium, moderated by 1-2 moderators, with a high level of audience participation and a total duration of 90 minutes.   Individual contributions should be made without technical support (PowerPoint presentation or similar). 
Submission requirements:  Roundtable title, roundtable chair, abstract of max. 250 words, hybrid or face-to-face event. 

Workshop: Workshops are intended to be interactive events, which, in addition to a rather short presentation, are primarily intended for discussions and other formats with high participant participation. Time frame: 90 min. 
Submission requirements:  Workshop title, workshop chair, abstract of max. 250 words, hybrid or face-to-face event. 

Conference languages are English and German. 

The conference will be held in Bonn, Germany, from 16 to 18 September 2024.   It will start with a kick-off event in the early evening of 16 September 2024. The parallel sessions with panels, roundtables and workshops as well as poster presentations will take place on 17 and 18 September 2024. There will be stipends for refugees and (limited) financial support for applicants without institutional support, information on which is expected to be published separately on the conference website in early 2024.

The Conference is organised in cooperation with the German Network of Forced Migration Studies, the Verbundprojekt “Flucht- und Flüchtlingsforschung: Vernetzung und Transfer” and the European Coalition of Migrants and Refugees (EU COMAR) and is funded by the  German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The organisation in Bonn is spearheaded by BICC (Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies) with the support of the Bonn-Rhine-Sieg University of Applied Sciences, the University of Bonn, the Forum Internationale Wissenschaft and IDOS (German Institute for Development and Sustainability) as well as the Bonn Initiative on Displacement and Migration Research.

Panel proposals can be submitted until 7 January 2024 via the following link. If you have any questions, please contact us at konferenz@fluchtforschung.net.