In view of the 23rd IMISCOE annual conference to be held on 29 June - 2 July 2026 in Girona and online on the topic of “Strengthening Migration studies through community engagement”, we are gathering papers for the panel proposal below on "Negotiating Masculinities and Mental Health: CommunityEngaged Perspectives on Migrant Men".
Panel Organisers: Dr. Abu Saleh Mohammad Sowad (University of Dhaka) and Dr. Rik Huizinga (Utrecht University)
Submission Deadline: 10 September 2025 (23:59 CEST)
Panel Abstract: Although the study of masculinities has expanded over recent decades, migrant men, particularly those from the Global South, remain underexplored in discussions of emotional wellbeing, peer support, and informal care. Much of the scholarship on masculinities has traditionally centred on Western, hegemonic male subjectivities (Farahani, 2013), while migrant men are often rendered invisible or stereotyped in debates on gender and health (Turin et al., 2020). Migration as a formative process requires men to negotiate multiple and sometimes contradictory forms of masculinity, which shape and are shaped by their social, cultural, and transnational environments (Este, 2013; Pease & Crossley, 2005). Despite growing recognition of the relational, intersectional, and dynamic nature of migrant masculinities (Féron, 2021; Sowad & Lafrance, 2025), inequalities related to vulnerability, emotional well-being, and social support remain underexamined. This panel seeks to advance the study of migrant masculinities by foregrounding the experiences of men, especially single migrant men, as they navigate loneliness, social isolation, emotional distress, homosocial networks, and informal peer support. We are particularly interested in empirical and theoretical contributions that employ community-engaged, participatory, and ethically reflexive methodologies (Collins et al., 2018), highlighting the practical and ethical challenges of engaging with marginalized communities. Prior research indicates that male migrants often rely on friendships, outdoor activities, and informal networks to manage stress, while professional mental health services remain underutilized due to stigma, cultural norms, and masculine ideals that valorize self-reliance and stoicism (Galdas et al., 2005; Salinero-Fort et al., 2012; Yoon & Udor, 2024) By decentering dominant narratives of migration and masculinities, this panel aims to foster a more nuanced understanding of male migrants’ lived experiences and their capacity to produce care and resilience within community settings. We welcome contributions that explore the social, cultural, and transnational contexts of masculinities, particularly those examining peer support, informal care, and emotional well-being. Papers may also discuss how research can contribute to community empowerment, the co-production of knowledge, and socially responsible interventions in migration contexts (Hilario et al., 2019; Morrow et al., 2020). The discussions we aim to foster are not only academic exercises but have the potential to influence the development of gender-responsive policies, support culturally and socially relevant health interventions, and expand participatory approaches to migration research. We particularly encourage intersectional analyses and critical reflections on positionality, ethics, and epistemic justice in knowledge production. The panel seeks to address a range of topics and approaches, including, but not limited to:
• Ethical and practical challenges of academic-community collaboration
• Peer support, friendship, and informal care practices among migrant men
• Emotional well-being and mental health strategies among men in migration contexts
• Lived realities and public discourses concerning single migrant men’s social integration
• Impacts of migration policies, legal frameworks, and border regimes on men’s identities
and well-being
• Masculinities, vulnerability, and affective ties in the context of displacement, precarity,
or marginalization
• Coping strategies, resilience practices, and alternative forms of care beyond formal
mental health services
• Intersections of migration, masculinity, and health inequalities, including physical,
mental, and emotional health
Applicants should submit a 250-word abstract, including a preliminary title and keywords, to Abu Saleh Mohammad Sowad (
papers will need to register for the IMISCOE 2025 Annual Meeting. Successful applicants are asked to submit a paper synopsis or working document by 15 June 2026 to facilitate an in-depth panel discussion.
Please note that we prefer an on-site panel format, but if we receive enough submissions to organize multiple panels, we can consider both online and on-site panels. For more information about the 2026 IMISCOE Annual Meeting, please visit: https://www.imiscoe.org/events/imiscoe-events/2418-23rd-imiscoe-annual-conference-2026.