6th Conference of the German Network for Forced Migration Studies

Conference Poster

This international academic conference critically explores how forced migration, refugee protection, and inclusion are being redefined in an increasingly fragmented and uncertain global order. It seeks to examine the impact on solidarities across international, national and local contexts. Which forms of solidarity are currently under stress, and which are gaining in importance and how? What does this mean for the rights, recognition, protection, and participation of displaced people?

Over the past decade, forced migration has increased globally, reaching 123.2 million people being displaced in 2024. A convergence of factors shapes this rise: continuing and (re)escalating conflicts in places such as Sudan, Myanmar, Ukraine, Gaza, the broader Middle East and the Horn of Africa; authoritarian resurgence and weakened multilateralism; environmental degradation; and entrenched global inequalities. Adding to the intersecting factors and their complexity, international development aid has been used for years to address the “root causes of migration”, but paradoxically, large-scale infrastructure projects drive further displacements. These overlapping challenges have strained traditional protection frameworks and hindered the capacity of existing governance systems to respond effectively.

Seventy-five years after the adoption of the 1951 Refugee Convention, its core principles remain formally intact but are routinely questioned, reinterpreted, or circumvented. Thus, the normative foundations of refugee protection are under increasing pressure. For instance, European governments are shifting from multilateral agreements to bilateral deals with countries of origin, allowing them to control and manage migration through carefully chosen partnerships. Such deals circumvent UN-led efforts and risk both perpetuating colonial-era inequalities and marginalising migrants, particularly without robust human rights protections. Moreover, deterrence, externalisation, and securitisation strategies are intensifying, even in long-standing asylum states. Across many democratic countries, right-wing populist parties and narratives are gaining traction, while centre-left parties shift rightward on migration and asylum policy. Public discourses around migration are often polarised and erode social cohesion and political support for inclusive policies, while often lacking a factual, scientific base. Unequal access and exclusion processes persist in post-migrant societies. In this situation, relevant civil society initiatives are subject to growing pressure; yet, examples of everyday solidarity, mutual support, and conviviality continue to emerge. 

Geographically, while current media output and research often focus on the receiving states in the Global North, most refugees end up in neighbouring countries, which are predominantly in the Global South. This highlights a mismatch between the global focus on displacement from the South to the North and the actual patterns of forced migration, as well as the nuanced and diverse practices of solidarity. For some time, media representatives, politicians, researchers and others framed refugees solely as victims. Yet, recent scholarly work has led away from this type of framing, viewing displaced people as actors who are mobilising to create new forms of solidarity and care.

This conference invites interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral dialogue to explore how actors—ranging from policymakers and frontline practitioners to scholars and community organisers—are responding to these developments. We are particularly interested in contributions that examine how protection and inclusion are conceptualised and practised amid growing political uncertainty, administrative constraints, and social fragmentation.

Inter- and transdisciplinary Engagement

The conference is open to researchers with and without refugee experience at all career levels, as well as practitioners, students, and other interested parties. We aim to bring together participants from diverse sectors of society as well as academic fields—including, but not limited to, political science, sociology, anthropology, social work, human geography, education, law, public health, media and communication studies, and psychology. The goal is to bridge empirical knowledge and practice-based expertise to foster critical, collaborative conversations.

We welcome papers that address, but are not limited to, the following topics:

• Changing governance regimes of refugee protection and asylum
• The shifting role of international organisations and multilateral frameworks
• Urban displacement and the local politics of inclusion
• Right-wing populism, securitisation, and the criminalisation of mobility
• Deterrence, deportation, and externalisation policies
• Protection gaps and humanitarian governance in protracted crises
• Environmental displacement and climate-induced migration
• Refugee participation, agency, and grassroots organising
• Civil society responses and sanctuary movements
• Intersections of forced migration with race, gender, sexuality, and class
• Mental health, trauma, and psychosocial support in contexts of displacement
• Education, language access, and the politics of belonging
• Digital borders, biometric surveillance, and data governance in asylum systems
• Legal and ethical challenges in migration adjudication and protection
• Refugees’ everyday strategies of navigation, resistance, and integration
• Comparative perspectives on solidarity and exclusion across world regions

We invite theoretical, empirical, and practice-based contributions. We particularly encourage submissions that speak across disciplinary or sectoral boundaries and those that amplify underrepresented voices, including scholars and practitioners with lived experience of displacement.

The conference is organised as an in-person event to be held at the University of Hildesheim in Germany. 

Our conference prioritises a fully in-person experience for all panel participants. While we strongly encourage attendance at the venue, a highly restricted number of hybrid panels (up to 3 per time slot) can be considered under truly exceptional circumstances. These exceptions, such as health concerns, visa limitations, or specific care requirements, require thorough justification and advance notification to the Organising Team, prior to the close of registration.

Location:
University of Hildesheim
Main Campus/Campus Marienburger Höhe
Universitätsplatz 1
31141 Hildesheim

• Campus Map
• Guide for Disability Access for the campus Marienburger Höhe

Registration Info:

• Registration fees:
  • Regular: 120€
  • Reduced: 80€ 
    (Reduced fees are primarily available to participants without institutional backing, early-career researchers, and colleagues from non-EU or non-OECD countries.)
• Registration deadline: April 01, 2026 to June 30, 2026
• Registration fees include access to all conference sessions, lunch and coffee break catering, one evening event, and conference materials. Travel, expenses, and accommodation are not included and must be arranged individually.
• Participation in the conference is also possible without submitting an abstract. In this case, you have to register within the deadline.
• If required, childcare can be provided during certain conference times. A fee per child will be charged for this service. You will receive more details during the registration process starting in April 2026.

Funding or Travel Grants:

Scholarships for refugees as well as (limited) financial support for applicants without institutional funding will be made available – contingent upon the outcome of the ongoing fundraising efforts. Further details will be published on the conference website in early 2026.

Languages:
German and English

Academic Freedom and Respectful Discourse
Participants recognize and respect academic freedom in dialogue as well as in all other forms of exchange during conference. We treat different opinions and perspectives with respect and refrain from intimidation, belittlement, or bullying based on differing views. We also do not speak on behalf of others, instead we clearly identify personal views as our own positions. New perspectives and views we will approach with openness. Furthermore, we conduct discussions in a positive, respectful and constructive atmosphere. When disagreements arise, we value an objective, respectful and appreciative exchange.

Non-Discrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Inclusion
We respect the individuality, dignity and diversity of all people. Therefore, we do not tolerate either direct or indirect discrimination based on ethnic or social origin, gender, religion, worldview, language, political beliefs, financial status, sexual orientation, age, disability or other personal characteristics. Accordingly, we respect other people´s pronouns and self-identifications and as respectfully when we are uncertain in order to ensure an inclusive and appreciative culture of dialogue. We avoid derogatory or exclusionary language. Therefore, we also refrain from stereotypical or generalized statements about groups of people based on their ethnicity or religious affiliation. We do not devalue other people´s contributions based on personal characteristics.

As organizers, we remove physical and organizational barriers so that all participants can take part in the events on an equal basis and benefit from them. We actively promote equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion by establishing transparent criteria for selection of contributions, offering travel grants, providing organized childcare and establishing an awareness team. We also enable online participation, support international participants with visa applications, provide accessible facilities, make prayer and retreat rooms available and offer a matching program for mutual exchange.

Unacceptable behavior includes, in particular, racist, sexist, or otherwise discriminatory remarks, sexual harassment, unwanted emotional or physical advances, unauthorized photography or recording and stalking. We do not accept the endorsement or support of such behavior. Furthermore, the abuse of a position, function, or authority toward other participants is likewise unacceptable.

Safe Space
It is important to us that all participants know whom they can contact if they feel uncomfortable, threatened, or discriminated against. Complaints and concerns can be raised in a protected setting, with confidentiality and, if desired, anonymity being guaranteed. An easily accessible and transparent procedure enables incidents or problems to be reported promptly and effectively. For this procedure, trusted persons of the Awareness Team, known as “Trustees,” are available as points of contact and support the handling of incoming reports. The trusted persons are clearly identified in the event materials as well as on the event website. We ensure that at least one of the trusted persons self-identifies as female.

The Do-No-Harm Principle
Under the Do-No-Harm principle, the safety and well-being of the people involved always take precedence over research interests. Personal data are therefore anonymized or treated confidentially. Results and conclusions are formulated in such a way as to avoid stigmatization or victimization.

When working with people with lived experience of displacement, particular attention is paid to the power imbalance associated with this experience. We avoid instrumentalizing people during the research process. People with experience of displacement are treated equally, and their experiences as well as possible traumas are taken into sensitive consideration. Our aim is to prevent retraumatization. In addition, it is important to us that all participants in collaborative research are appropriately compensated for their work, regardless of their experience of displacement.

The Awareness Team will be visible on campus. You will always find a member of the Awareness Team at the registration desk in Building N (Forum). 
In addition, the Awareness Team can be reached by phone during the conference (number to follow).

Conference Convenors and the Local Organisation Committee

Centre for Diversity, Democracy and Inclusion in Education, University of Hildesheim

Prof. Dr. Sybille Münch

Anna-Christine Görg

Miriam Kühne

Migration Policy Research Group, University of Hildesheim

Prof. Dr. Hannes Schammann

Zeynep Aydar

Christin Younso

University of Hildesheim
Universitätsplatz 1

31141 Hildesheim, Germany

www.uni-hildesheim.de/zbi/en
www.uni-hildesheim.de/migrationspolitik

Email: nwff2026(at)uni-hildesheim.de

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The Board of the German Network for Forced Migration Studies

German Network for Forced Migration Studies 
c/o German Institute for Global and Area Studies | Leibniz-Institut für Globale und Regionale Studien (GIGA)

Neuer Jungfernstieg 21
20534 Hamburg, Germany

https://fluchtforschung.net/home/

>>> Download CfP <<<

Abstracts should be no more than 300 words and include the author’s name, affiliation, and email address.

• All proposals should be submitted via the online form by January 30, 2026.
• Selected participants will be notified by March 2026.
• Submissions must be in German or English.
• Submissions may also be recommended by the Working Groups (AKs) of the German Network for Forced Migration Studies. Such recommendations will be given privileged consideration in the selection process.

Formats Accepted

• Individual paper presentations
• Pre-organised panels
• Roundtables
• Workshops
   

Selection Criteria and Guidelines for Panel, Roundtable and Workshop Proposals

• Full Panel: Panel proposals should include a maximum of four papers. We warmly welcome proposals including only three papers - this leaves room for the organising committee to incorporate one additional individual submission per panel that aligns thematically. We strongly encourage proposals that reflect institutional diversity and include participants at different career stages, from early-career scholars to senior researchers. Panels that foster dialogue between academic researchers and practitioners—such as those working in policy, administration, schools or NGOs—are especially welcome, as they contribute to the interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral character of the conference.
• Roundtable: Proposals should focus on fostering open discussion and exchange on a specific question, challenge, or emerging topic in the field that clearly aligns with the conference's overall theme. Roundtables are particularly suited for debate-oriented formats rather than formal presentations of research findings. Submissions should clearly articulate the topic of discussion, the intended participants, and how the conversation will be structured to maximise engagement. Additionally, proposals should briefly argue for the relevance of the topic—explaining why it matters to the field, to practice, or to current scholarly debates. We encourage submissions that create space for dialogue among participants from diverse backgrounds. Contributions that involve participants from a variety of sectors—such as refugee-led organisations, policy, or education—are encouraged, as they promote dialogue across different perspectives and enrich the practical relevance of the discussion.
• Workshop: Workshop proposals should outline an interactive, 90-minute session designed to engage participants in active learning, skill development, or collaborative problem-solving. Unlike panels, workshops are not primarily discussion-based; they should include hands-on, participatory elements and a clear rationale for why the format is appropriate. Workshop proposals should clearly state the aims of the session and explain why a workshop format is more suitable than a panel, describing the planned interactive methods in detail. They should indicate whether the workshop is intended to produce a tangible outcome, such as (the preparation for) a publication, teaching resource, or methodological tool. Proposals are expected to explain how the topic relates to the overall conference theme and why it is timely and relevant. They should also specify the intended audience and outline how participants with diverse backgrounds and perspectives will be engaged. Finally, proposals must include information on any spatial, technical, or material requirements necessary to conduct the workshop effectively. We especially welcome workshops that bridge research and practice, offering participants opportunities to apply insights in concrete, real-world contexts.

The German Network for Forced Migration Studies (Netzwerk Fluchtforschung) is committed 
to fostering inclusive, equitable, and power-critical academic exchange. As an integral part of 
the 6th Network Conference, we are pleased to offer a limited number of Mobility Grants to support participants who would otherwise face significant financial barriers to attending the conference. Deadline for Application: May 17, 2026.