The Migration Research Group (MRG) is an interdisciplinary network embedded in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Sheffield (TUoS). In 2024/25 academic year it has been led by three co-directors from different departments (Dr Aneta Piekut (Sheffield Methods Institute), Dr Lucy Mayblin (Sociological Studies) and Dr Patricia Nabuco Martuscelli (Politics and International Relations) with support from a MA student intern (Beth Dixon).
The MRG has a membership of over 100 academics from across the social sciences and humanities at TUoS and beyond (395, in total). MRG is a home to the intra-Faculty Centre for Doctoral Training “New Horizons in Borders and Bordering”.
2024/205 academic year in review
This has been another successful year for us, with many academic events and community-facing workshops - in total MRG organised almost 40 of them! We organised events in various formats: webinars (5), in-person seminars (14), half-day symposiums or forums (5), full-day community study days (3), films screenings with discussions (3), workshops or work-in-progress labs/writing retreats (5), and networking events (3).
Many MRG members contributed to impactful research, produced public engagement and teaching resources which help changing narratives around migration. Most importantly, we collectively have been creating a wonderful environment for inter- and transdisciplinary discussions for migration research in Sheffield.
Key transdisciplinary events with the community
We have been recognised by the local community as a trustworthy partner for regular knowledge exchange activities. Our events co-organised with community partners included:
- October 2024 - Understanding the 2024 race riots panel debate with academics, local and national stakeholders, i.e., Sheffield City of Sanctuary and Migrant Voice (66 participants).
- November 2024 - Community Study Day (1) with VVIDY (Voice of Voiceless Immigration Detainees Yorkshire) and SYMAAG (South Yorkshire Migration and Asylum Action Group), (100 participants).
- February 2025 - Right to Remain + SYMAAG workshop: Thinking with our communities – detention and beyond (70 participants).
- April 2025 - Community Study Day (2) on asylum housing with Sheffield City of Sanctuary, NACCOM and ASSIST (50 participants). Photo gallery below.
We concluded the year with our annual international PGR Migration Conference and Annual Lecture delivered by Professor Jenny Phillimore, University of Birmingham, “Encounters with kindness: everyday and extraordinary kind interventions in the lives of forced migrant survivors of sexual and gender based violence”.
We are looking forward to continue our work next academic year to build spaces that encourage collaboration across disciplines, with community partners, and inform important debates around migration, mobility and bordering, as well as relevant policy change. You can read our full annual report embedded in a PDF format below.
MRG Co-Directors: Aneta, Lucy and Patricia