A (research) year-in-review thread from IRIS @unibirmingham.bsky.social We asked our researchers to pick one of their publications from 2025 and share why it stands out for them. Here's what they replied! #migration #refugees #socialsciences #diversity #research

So nice to have @rachelhumphris.bsky.social back at IRIS for a day! On 5 November (4-5.30pm) Rachel will present her new @stanfordpress.bsky.social book "Making Sanctuary Cities". To book a place: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/making-san...

Join us on 20 October, 4-5.30pm @unibirmingham.bsky.social for this IRIS public seminar by @nandosigona.bsky.social on #Migration & #asylum under #Labour. Discussant: David Stark. Register: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/migration-...

Speaking to @markaustintv.bsky.social on Sky News on irregular boat crossings and the Labour government's response, @nandosigona.bsky.social says that one of the reasons why immigration policy fails is because they have little control or influence on the root caused of migration.

@nandosigona.bsky.social reflecting on the present and future of research on #irregularmigration in the final plenary at #imiscoe2025 conference in Krems, bringing insights from @iclaimeu.bsky.social study

7/ This study calls for a shift: migration is not just a problem to be solved, but a natural, historical phenomenon. Policies should be human-centred, not just about enforcement. 🌍✊

5/ Politicians use ‘illegal migration’ to separate ‘deserving’ from ‘undeserving’ migrants. This justifies deterrence measures (deportations, visa restrictions) while still allowing ‘skilled’ migrants to enter. 🏛️💼

Yet, small boat crossings dominate the discourse despite accounting for only a minority of irregular migration cases. Visa overstays & policy barriers play a much bigger role but get far less attention. 🚢📉

2/ This quantification dehumanizes migrants, reducing them to statistics. Migrant men, in particular, are portrayed as faceless masses or security threats, reinforcing harmful stereotypes.

1/ Migration is overwhelmingly framed as a crisis. Media & politicians fixate on numbers— #smallboat crossings, #asylum claims, deportations—fuelling a sense of emergency that justifies restrictive policies. 📊🚢 #MigrationNarratives

🚨 New research alert! 🚨 How is #irregularmigration framed in UK media, politics, and civil society? A new @iclaimeu.bsky.social study exposes the narratives shaping public opinion and policy. 🧵⤵️

We were delighted to have Danai Christopoulou from the Refugee and Migrant Centre present at IRiS yesterday, please check out and support their vital work in the Birmingham and the Black Country. rmcentre.org.uk

The shape of belonging is the title of @ozlemogtem-young.bsky.social's new book published by @brisunipress.bsky.social focusing the articulations of belonging of unaccompanied young migrants within the precarity of ‘migrancy’ bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/the-shape-of...

"Co-authored with Luxa Leoco, this chapter marks a milestone in my journey of learning how to conduct collaborative research (and reflect on it) in settings characterised by strong power imbalances", says @stefano-piemontese.bsky.social bristoluniversitypressdigital.com/edcollchap-o...