Research Insights

African perspectives on migration: Re-centring Southern Africa (2022)

Franzisca Zanker

African scholars (like scholars in other areas of the Global South) continue to be under-represented in migration literature, no matter on what geographical focus they are working on. This is related to a variety of issues linked to pervasive inequalities in knowledge production, not least access to funding, as well as various hindrances against publishing in established outlets. In this review essay, the focus is on three contributions, geographically placed in Southern Africa. Article available at Migration Studies

The Political Influence of Return: From Diaspora to Libyan Transit Returnees (2019)

Franzisca Zanker and Judith Altrogge

In December 2016, Gambian dictator Jammeh was surprisingly ousted through the ballot box by a democratically motivated opposition. With this remarkable change, tables also turned for Gambian migrants. Gambians abroad were called upon to return and help rebuild the nation, while political interests in host states increased to return “irregular” migrants. In what ways can migrant return be politically influential, especially after a critical juncture as in the Gambia? Current studies fail to consider different types of returnees. Article available at International Migration