Onward Migration

In this paper we analyse re-emigration intentions using a pooled dataset on a sample of
more than 22,000 migrants. The results show that while onward migration appears to be a
quest for better conditions on the part of migrants with the best potential, going home
seems to be related to giving up on the part of individuals with lower capabilities. Family
network, gender, ethnic niche, legal status and the economic crisis also emerged as having a
significant role in the decision process.

Drawing on multisited qualitative research in Italy and the UK, this paper documents the dark side of onward migration and the experiences faced by Italian-Bangladeshis in the UK after the Brexit referendum. The findings show that compared to their position in Italy, Italian-Bangladeshis experienced a downgrading in symbolic, identity-related, and, specifically, socio-economic and cultural aspects in the UK society. The paper also uncovers the potential strategies that Italian-Bangladeshis intend to adopt in case they lose the special rights provided to them by EU citizenship after Brexit. Since the majority of them have moved to the United Kingdom to build a future for their children, they find themselves forced to further reconfigure their strategies and reactivate different degrees of mobility in order to avoid the loss of social rights (access to welfare, the status of citizens) and material resources (housing and better working conditions) that they have long assumed.

Research on transnationalism aims to understand the connections and practices of individuals, communities and institutions that transcend the boundaries of the nation-state. Thus far, empirical research on transnationalism has usually focused on the cross-border practices, identifications and networks that encompass one origin country and a particular destination country. Yet, there has been a growing awareness that migrant trajectories can be more complex and fragmented-spanning multiple countries, regions and places. Seasonal workers engage in multi-directional moves to sustain their livelihoods. Refugees can traverse and settle in numerous countries in their search for protection. Highly-paid professionals are encouraged to move across several countries to advance their careers. Migrant families often establish multi-sited households and their geographical constellation can evolve over time.

This panel therefore aims to examine the connections between onward migration and transnationalism. We use the category of 'onward migrant' to refer not only to those who have moved across borders regularly, but also migrants who moved semi-legally or irregularly. We encourage the submission of papers by scholars from different disciplines and career stages employing a variety of methods. Papers can explore, but are not limited to, the following questions:

• How does transnationalism shape onward migration intentions and experiences?
• How does onward migration affect transnational practices?
• How do the transnational lives of onward migrants differ depending on gender, age, class, 'race', legal status, educational attainment, etc.?
• What is distinctive about the transnational lives of onward migrants?
• How do transnational ties and practices of onward migrants compare with those of one-step migrants or non-migrants?
• What are the methodological implications of onward migration in terms of multi-sited transnationalism?

Please send your abstract of up to 250 words, a title and institutional affiliation to: J.Ahrens@uu.nl

Deadline for submission: 26 November 2019
Notification of acceptance: 29 November 2019

More info about the 17th IMISCOE Annual Conference: https://www.imiscoe.org/news/network-news/924-cfp-imiscoe-17th-annual-conference-crossing-borders-connecting-cultures-luxembourg