News

PolMig at the Migration Policy Centre

PolMig’s principal investigator, Dr. Franzisca Zanker, presented the PolMig research project at the Migration Policy Centre Seminar Series, in Florence. In her talk, she explored and conceptualized one of PolMig‘s key themes: the political agency of migrants in Africa. A recording of the event is available on the MPC YouTube channel.

Participatory Research Methods Workshop

On the 27-28th November, we held a workshop on participatory research methods at the ABI aiming at learning about how such methods work in practice, in particular related to the theatre of the oppressed.

Successful Inaugural Meeting with Advisory Board

The PolMig project team is feeling invigorated following a highly successful inaugural meeting with the advisory board. The first annual advisory board meeting was dedicated in particular to joint reflections on topics related to questions of research ethics in preparation of our first fieldwork phase.

Summerschool in Basel: Honoring Mudimbe - Rethinking Research through African Thought

From 8-12 September PolMig’s PhD student Sophia Stille participated in the summer school of the Centre for African Studies (ZASB) at the University of Basel, Switzerland. The theme „Honoring Mudimbe: Rethinking Research through African Thought“ brought together seven PhD students from African and European universities to reflect on Valentin-Yves Mudimbe’s legacy and what it means for researchers in African Studies today.

Special Issue Workshop

On the 9 -10th July, the PolMig Team hosted an author's workshop for a special issue "Categorizing People on the Move in Africa," for Comparative Migration Studies and edited by Rose Jaji & Franzisca Zanker. Over two intensive days, the participants presented, discussed and developed their work, with scholars joining from Ghana, Ethiopia, Kenya, UK, South Africa and Germany.

Participation at IMISCOE Conference

Franzisca Zanker co-organised a panel with Amanda Bisong and Cathrine Talleraas on "Decentering African Migration (Governance) Research" speaking to the annual theme, whilst also intentionally trying to move the conversation beyond Europe.

Edwin Mutyenyoka succesfully defended his PhD

Edwin Mutyenyoka has successfully defended his PhD at the Osnabrueck University’s Institute for Migration Research and Intercultural Studies (IMIS).

PolMig Team

PolMig has successfully hired three new staff members. Two postdoctoral researchers, Jamila Hamidu and Edwin Mutyenyoka and a PhD researcher, Sophia Stille will be starting their research positions at the Arnold Bergstraesser Institute in the early summer of 2025. They join Constantin Herburger, who started working for the project as research assistant in November 2024 and Franzisca Zanker.

Writing Job Cover Letters

As part of the PolMig recruitment process, we received 300 applications. We ended up reading a lot of cover letters. In this post, Franzisca Zanker summarises her top tips when writing cover letters. From avoiding flowery language to personalising your letters, this advice may be of help to recent graduates on the academic job market.

PolMig project starts

After the signing of the Grant Agreement, the PolMig project officially started at the Arnold Bergstraesser Institute on the 1st November 2024. It is scheduled to run for 5 years until 31st October 2029. The first months will primarily be dedicated to staff recruitment.