Workshop

Thursday and Friday, 10 – 11 June 2021

Full programme (PDF) and registration (link)

About the workshop

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have provoked major and rapid changes in almost all aspects of our lives over the past two decades. International migration is one area in which it has been possible to observe the multi-level and multi- faceted impact of ICTs.

Researchers have emphasized the importance of ICTs as resources for migrants during their journeys and in dealing with precarious conditions and challenging situations. More broadly, ICTs are also used by migrants, NGOs and governments to collect and disseminate information relating to different aspects of migration processes. In addition, several studies have shown that ICTs are effective instruments helping to sustain families, communities and diasporas across borders.

These recent but rapid developments in the study of the use of ICTs in migration processes are most often conducted in the context of destination countries, usually within the EU. Despite the fact they are playing a crucial role in migratory dynamics, transit countries have so far attracted little attention when it comes to the role of ICTs in migration processes.

Turkey is a striking example in this regard. The complex position of this country in relation to migratory movements is well established in migration studies. Turkey is simultaneously a country of immigration, emigration and transit. Moreover, following the outbreak of the Syrian civil war, it has become the host country of the largest refugee population in the world. Although Turkey has been the subject of substantial interest on the part of migration scholars, the role of ICTs in migration processes has not been analysed in detail in its context.

With this in mind, this workshop brings together scholars from different disciplines and NGO representatives to give fresh impetus to the study of ICTs’ impact in migration processes in the case of Turkey.

For more information: Ibrahim Soysüren, Senior Researcher, University of Neuchâtel (ibrahim.soysuren@unine.ch)