Politics at Southampton

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@sotonpolitics.bsky.social

Call for papers: One week to go! How are bordering practices in, at, and outside Europe impacting policies and migrants? What roles do technologies play in this? @katerinaglyniadaki.bsky.social & Ingi Iusmen are hosting a workshop in Crete on 23 October. Deadline for abstracts: 15 September

Forced Migration and Everyday Bordering Practices in Europe Date of Event: 23 October 2026 Location: Chania, Greece As forced migration in Europe is becoming an ever more politically contentious topic, governments adopt policies and practices that aim to reduce incoming migration and keep certain groups of migrants out. With migration deterrence becoming a key political objective pursued by both national governments and the EU, border controls are further reinforced through greater investment in human and technological resources. In addition to border control, which includes the screening and detention of migrants, bordering practices also take place within and outside official borders. Through restrictive policies in asylum determination and migrant integration, and the creation of local ‘hostile environments’, the goal is to discourage other potential migrants. Similarly, through the externalization of migration control, ranging from visa policies to agreements with third countries, the aim is to prevent future migration flows. Moreover, the involvement of non-state actors in the delivery of services for migrants (including asylum-seekers and refugees) places the significance of state sovereignty into question, while also compromising migrants’ rights and access to services. This workshop aims to bring together academics and practitioners—and at local, national, and international levels— to cover the following key themes: • Formal and informal bordering practices at, outside, and within European borders • Consequences, implications and the human impact of migration policies • Policy implementation on the ground and the roles of digital technologies and non-state actors Send an abstract of 200 words to either of the organisers by 15 September: A.Glyniadaki@soton.ac.uk or I.Iusmen@soton.ac.uk. Notification of outcomes and further logistical details are anticipated by 20 September. Accepted participants will need to cover their own travel and accommodation.