Mid-term Conference of the European Sociological Association’s Research Network 15: Global, Transnational & Cosmopolitan Sociology, 19th-20th April 2018. Helsinki, Finland. Supported by the Migration and Diaspora Studies Research Group at the University of Helsinki.
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS FOR THE SESSION:
SOCIAL CAPITAL IN TRANSNATIONAL AND DIASPORA COMMUNITIES
Session chair: Sanna Saksela-Bergholm (University of Helsinki)
Recent flows of migration have increased interest among scholars focusing on mechanisms of inclusion and exclusion of migrants in their receiving countries, while not forgetting their transnational contacts and practices. Still, more research is needed in order to understand the processes whereby social resources can bridge the divide between migrants’ new home countries and their societies of origin. More information is also needed in order to understand how such resources function as a usable and mobilisable form of social capital, as well as how the utilisation of such resources is inhibited (Anthias 2007), and how social capital functions as enforceable trust (Portes & Sensenbrenner 1993).
This workshop invites papers focusing on the migrants’ transnational engagements and participation at individual and collective levels across diverse institutional, political and discursive settings. Of particular interest are papers that examine the processes whereby social resources can bridge both the divide between migrants’ new home countries and societies of origin. Studies can, for example, examine how social resources (social, political and affective transnational ties and practices) are mobilised as social/political action among members of diaspora communities both in the societies of settlement and departure, and how such resources are converted into social capital.
We are planning to publish an anthology on this same topic. Please, let us know if you are interested in participating in this book process. On the basis of accepted abstracts, we will ask scholars to submit a rough draft of their paper for this workshop (from 5000 – 8000 words). Selection for the anthology will take place after the workshop.
Key concepts: Migration, diasporas, transnational engagements, social resources, inclusion and exclusion, social capital.
Please send your abstract to ESAResearchNetwork15@gmail.com by January 15th, 2018 indicating the workshop in which you would like to participate. Should you have any questions regarding this mid-term conference, please email the organisers at address ESAResearchNetwork15@gmail.com.