Day 218, Year of #Mygration: Who is a Migrant? Experience the realities

One of the 26 events taking place in Northern Ireland as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science, is a workshop titled: 'Who is a Migrant? Experience the realities'. The Open University has teamed up with Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Ulster to provide space to discuss the causes and effects of migration. The workshop, organised by Dr Gunjan Sondhi, will give the participants an opportunity to address some of the misconceptions about immigration.

When you think about migration, or imagine a 'migrant', you might picture someone fleeing a war-torn country, escaping from poverty or merely looking for a better life. You probably picture a person crossing the Mediterranean in a dinghy. However, did you know that there are many reasons why people become migrants? Migrants come from many different backgrounds, travel by different routes, and have different experiences. 

At this event, we want to challenge conventional conceptions of migration as being primarily related to poverty, war or aspirations for an 'easy' life in the UK. 

At this interactive workshop aimed at a public audience, you will engage in a role-play activity where you will be able to explore what being a migrant is like, and experience some of the everyday situations the migrants find themselves in. A critical group discussion will follow a role play where you can discuss your thoughts and experiences with others, and connect them to the broader debate about migration.  

The interactive workshop will primarily focus on high-skilled migration into the UK, but will also draw on examples of people's movements in other parts of the world, such as in South Africa, Canada and Ethiopia, to provide insights into the diversity of migration. The event is part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science in Northern Ireland. 

Date: Tuesday 6 November 

Time: 10:00 - 12:00 

Venue: The MAC Belfast, 10 Exchange Street West, Belfast, BT1 2NJ 

Please note that there will be photography taken during this event for use on social media. If you do not wish to be photographed please advise Open University staff at the venue when you arrive.