In protracted limbo: transitions to adulthood and life trajectories of former unaccompanied migrant children in Europe
Researcher(s): Jenny Allsopp
Collaborator(s):
Dr Elaine Chase and Professor Robert Walker (Social Policy and Intervention), Dr Nando Sigona (University of Birmingham)
Dates: 2012-2014
Donors: John Fell Oxford University Research Fund
Aims
In Protracted Limbo aims to examine:
- the well-being outcomes of former independent migrant children in Europe (including those who remain in Europe and those who are returned to countries of origin);
- young people’s experiences of negotiating the various structures which govern their legal, social and economic statuses as well as their political and social identities;
- the types of service and support arrangements most likely to facilitate the best possible economic and quality of life outcomes;
- methodological possibilities for monitoring the longer-term outcomes of former independent migrant children across Europe.
Rationale
Young adults who previously entered Europe as independent migrant children face a range of possible outcomes. The majority are denied refugee status or humanitarian protection but are afforded time-limited welfare support and care under provisions of discretionary leave.
Once they become adults, young people frequently end up in limbo – uncertain of whether or not they will be able to remain in the country of immigration/asylum and for how long. To date, there has been little exploration of the longer-term trajectories of those young people across Europe who make the transition to adulthood with under-determined political or citizenship status.
Theoretically framed by concepts of wellbeing and human rights, In protracted limbo will explore the gaps in theory and knowledge surrounding these dimensions of youth migration and identify the implications for contemporary national and international policy governing the treatment and support of young people subject to immigration control across the EU.
Outputs
The fifteen month preparatory project will develop links with institutions and organisations across Europe working with unaccompanied young people, and will lay the foundations for a larger programme of research on the subject.
Two international symposia will be held respectively in Oxford in April 2013 and in Chicago in October 2013 and will address two interrelated aspects of this broader theme: 'Within and beyond citizenship: lived experiences of contemporary membership' (Oxford, 11-12 April 2013) and 'Illegality, youth and belonging' (Chicago, October 2013).
An RSC Working Paper will be published in 2013 with a peer-reviewed article following in 2014 and two interim workshops will be held in Oxford and Brussels addressing respectively theoretical and policy issues.
Fedasil asylum centre in Bovigny, Belgium. (c) UNHCR / D. Telemans
Related events
11-12 April 2013
International Symposium – Within and beyond citizenship: lived experiences of contemporary membership
