News from Members

Centre for the Social Study of Migration and Refugees (CESSMIR), Ghent University Conference Dates: 14 -16 September 2026 

In a context of rapid and often turbulent societal transformation, migration researchers are increasingly called upon to reflect on how their work engages with and responds to shifting global and local dynamics. This conference invites contributions that critically explore how migration intersects with key sites of inequality, contestation, and change. Across education and healthcare systems, persistent ethnoracial disparities reveal how structural and interpersonal forms of discrimination continue to shape migrant experiences. Language and religion, meanwhile, emerge as potent boundaries in processes of racialisation and exclusion. At the borders, the intensification of violence, the erosion of legal protection, and the criminalization of mobility challenge the principles of solidarity and justice. In response, scholars and activists are developing alternative, community-based approaches to migration and border governance. Simultaneously, calls to decenter and decolonize migration studies are gaining ground. 

To deepen these discussions, the conference will be structured around six thematic streams that offer spaces to look back at critical debates in migration research, while moving forward in dialogue with ongoing societal transformations, with a focus on areas where CESSMIR researchers brought significant contributions. Furthermore, the conference also seeks to explore the dynamic interplay between migration research and policy, practice and activism, reflecting on the role of scholars and the impact of their work in this interplay. 

1. Ethnoracial inequalities in education 
2. Health at the Intersections: migration, race, and inequality 
3. Multilingual borders of migration 
4. Entanglements of religion, race and migration 
5. Rethinking borders, solidarity and migration law 
6. Decolonial approaches to migration studies, narratives, practices 

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, the Centre for the Social Study of Migration and Refugees (CESSMIR) at Ghent University invites researchers, practitioners, NGO representatives, volunteers, activists, and policymakers to join us for a conference exploring migration studies in a changing societal landscape. 

This conference not only marks a decade of CESSMIR’s dedication to advancing the study of migration and refugees, but also aims to create a vibrant space for dialogue, reflection, and collaboration. Join us as we look back at the major changes in the last ten years, and envision new paths forward, strengthening the links between research, practice, and societal impact. 

Audience

The conference is designed for both academic and non-academic participants. We aim to create an inclusive space where different forms of knowledge and experience can meet and enrich each other. Whether you are an established researcher, a practitioner, or an activist involved in migrant communities, your insights are valuable to this collective exploration. 

The conference is an in-person conference. We expect presenting contributors to be in Ghent in person. 

Contribution Formats 

We encourage proposals to each of the streams in a variety of formats, ensuring opportunities for both academic analysis and practical, experience-based discussions: 

• Individual Presentations: individual presentations will be grouped into thematic sessions of 4 presentations. Each accepted paper is given 15 minutes for presentation, followed by 5 minutes for discussion with the audience. Each thematic session lasts 90 minutes. Submissions for individual presentations should include a proposal of no more than 2,000 characters, including spaces. A reference list is not required. 
• Symposia: a symposium is a focused set of presentations centered on a common theme. Organizers are encouraged to bring together national and international contributors from diverse (disciplinary) backgrounds. A symposium lasts 90 minutes and typically includes three to four presentations. It is chaired by a discussant who guides the session, ensures thematic coherence across the contributions, and facilitates an engaging exchange with the audience. At least 30 minutes should be reserved for open discussion with the audience. Submissions for symposia should include a short overview text describing the symposium as a whole (no more than 3,000 characters, including spaces) and an abstract for each individual contribution (no more than 2,000 characters each, including spaces). A reference list is not required. 
• Dialogue Sessions (ENG, NL, FR): a Dialogue Session is a focused forum for in-depth exploration of a societal issue. It brings together academic and non-academic perspectives to foster a richer understanding of the topic and possible ways to address it - examining, for instance, what has been done in practice and policy, the reasoning behind these approaches, and what works for whom, in which contexts, and why. Each Dialogue Session includes contributions from at least one academic and at least one practitioner, policymaker, activist, or volunteer. Submissions for a Dialogue Session should include a proposal of no more than 4,000 characters (including spaces). A reference list is not required. 
• Other Formats: we are open to other formats besides the ones mentioned above, including, but not limited to, artistic interventions, debates, etc. Submissions for other formats should include a proposal of no more than 4,000 characters, and/or a short video of max. 3 minutes 

Submission Guidelines 

• Please submit your proposals through our online submission form. 
• Make sure to clearly indicate the intended stream and format of your contribution. 
• Please include names and email addresses of the presenters or primary organizer/presenter and the co-organizer/presenter. 

Timeline 

• Submission Deadline: 31 January 2026 
• Notification of Acceptance: mid-March 2026 
• Early registration: until 20 May 2026 
• Late registration: until 1 September 2026