Integration for who? Getting on in an era of superdiversity with Professor Jenny Phillimore

Each new professor at the University of Birmingham gives a lecture, known as an inaugural, to their peers and students on their area of research. Therefore you are personally invited to join, Jenny Phillimore  Professor of Migration and Superdiversity, at her Inaugural Lecture on Wednesday 17^th September 2014 at 5pm – 6pm as it may be of interest to your area of expertise. Further details below:

Title:                 Integration for who? Getting on in an era of superdiversity with Professor Jenny Phillimore

Where:             G15, Muirhead Tower, University of Birmingham (R21 on the campus map)
When:              Wednesday 17^th September 2014 at 5.30pm – 6.30pm followed by a drinks reception
Contact:           Places are limited so registration is necessary. To reserve your place or for further details visit: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/phillimore-inaugural

Jenny Phillimore is Professor of Migration and Superdiversity and Director of the Institute for Research into Superdiversity.  Her research interests include migrant integration, access to welfare in superdiverse areas, the role of migrant and refugee community organisations in migrant adaptation, migrant access and outcomes in higher education and community research.  She has published widely in these topics and also co-written books on qualitative methods.  Her research has been funded by research councils in the UK, government departments, the EU and a wide range of foundations.  She has provided expert advice on migrant integration to local, regional, national and European governments and is currently working on the Knowledge in Integration Governance project which is helping to shape the new Common Basic Principles for migrant integration for the European Commission.

In her inaugural lecture she outlines the enormous changes that have over the past 20 years fuelled the emergence of new migration and associated superdiversity.  She shows how these changes are coupled with renewed calls for migrant integration and trends which have profound implications for new migrant integration including the re-politicisation of migration, rise of the new right, growing use of welfare restrictionalism, and a resurgence of anti-migrant media and public opinion.  While some academics argue that the integration project should be abandoned because it implies acceptance of a set of common values that do not exist she argues that integration is critical if increased diversification is not to further fuel the backlash against migration and multiculturalism.  She argues the key question is not if integration should occur but who integration policy is aimed at.

We look forward to seeing you at Professor Phillimore’s Inaugural Lecture. As places are limited, please book early. If we can be of any assistance, please do get in touch.