Incarceration and immobility can have a profound impact on individuals, families, and communities. For those who are incarcerated, the experience can be traumatic and isolating, leading to mental health issues, social stigma, and a decreased likelihood of successful reintegration into society. Similarly, those who are immobilized due to restrictive immigration policies or exploitative labour practices may experience social isolation, loss of income and job security, and a decreased sense of agency and self-determination.
Rather than a strict focus on physical borders as legal institutions, this workshop offers a unique vantage point from which to analyse current transformations in society. The importance of analysing such transformations concerns common perceptions of the “bordering” perspective, which is embedded in what James Scott (2015) calls "the everyday construction of borders" through geo-political changes, media representations, political discourses and institutional practices.
The Nordic countries have often been praised for their progressive social policies and justice systems. However, despite these advancements, issues related to incarceration, detention, and exploitation still persist in the region. This workshop aims to provide a platform for researchers to discuss and critically examine various forms of incarceration and immobility in the Nordic countries.
Programme
Tuesday, 30 May 2023
Session 1
11.30-13.30
Introduction by Dr Larisa Kangaspuro (Centre for Nordic Studies, University of Helsinki)
Dr Markku Kangaspuro (Aleksanteri Institute, University of Helsinki): Limited space of rights and humanity in the Nordic Countries: complementary elements ideology and coercion
Anastasia Burakova (The «Ark» (Kovcheg) project, Project Founder, human rights activist): Russian exiles community after February 24, 2022 in the Baltic and the Nordic countries: impact on political agenda inside Russia
Session 2
15:30-17:30
Dr Larisa Kangaspuro (Centre for Nordic Studies, University of Helsinki): Incarceration, migrants and penal exceptionalism in the Nordic countries
Dr Sherzod Eraliev (Sociology of Law Department, Lund University): Exploring the Exploitation and Immobility of Undocumented Migrants in Nordic Countries: A Case Study of Uzbeks in Sweden
Dr Elena Rodina (independent researcher, project «Russian independent journalism in exile: in search of relevance and resilience», 2023-2024): Russian exiled journalists in Nordic countries: modes of isolation and immobility
Dr Daria Krivonos (Centre of Excellence in Law, Identity and the European Narratives, University of Helsinki): In Pursuit of Western modernity: Russian-speaking migrants Claiming Whiteness in Helsinki, Finland
Wrap-up
Wednesday 31 May 2023
Session 1
10.00-12.00
Round table: “Russian exiles community after February 24, 2022 in Baltic and Nordic countries
Dr Olga Dovbysh (Aleksanteri Institute, University of Helsinki), Chair of project «Russian independent journalism in exile: in search of relevance and resilience» (2023-2024), funded by the Helsingin Sanomat Foundation
Anastasia Burakova, The «Ark» project
Dr Elena Rodina, independent researcher
Dr Daria Krivonos, University of Helsinki
Moderator: Dr Larisa Kangaspuro (Centre for Nordic Studies, University of Helsinki)
Session 2
14.00-16.00
Presentations of the new projects:
Dr Larisa Kangaspuro (Centre for Nordic Studies, University of Helsinki): Multinational Migrants: Ways of Adaptation in the Nordic and the Baltic Countries» (2023-2024), funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers’
Dr Sherzod Eraliev (Sociology of Law Department, Lund University): Informality, Migrant Precarity and Exploitation in Nordic Context: Uzbek Migrant Workers in Sweden and Finland» (IMPEX), funded by Forte – Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare (2023-2024)
Dr Daria Krivonos (Centre of Excellence in Law, Identity and the European Narratives, University of Helsinki): Life-making and Life-breaking: A research project on social reproduction and survival in times of collapse» (LIFEMAKE, 2023-2026), funded by KONE, Finland
16.00-17.00 Wrap-up
Organising committee:
Dr Larisa Kangaspuro, Centre for Nordic Studies, University of Helsinki
Dr Lizaveta Dubinka-Hushcha, Department of International Economics, Government and Business, Copenhagen Business School
Dr Sherzod Eraliev, Sociology of Law Department, Lund University