The Society for the Study of Ethnic Relations and International Migration in Finland (ETMU) is organising its 2024 conference around the theme of “Hopeful engagements in turbulent times: Knowledge, art and action in migration research”. It will take place in Tampere, Finland on 6 - 8 November 2024.

The conference will address forced displacement caused by political conflict, war, natural disaster and environmental crises across the globe. This “global turbulence” creates instability and has an effect on how displaced people experience a sense of belonging to both old and new communities. In turbulent times, social structures that create inequalities become more striking due to economic, social and ecological upheavals. Such upheavals can contribute to the strengthening of far-right and anti-immigration movements across Europe. The aim of the conference is to consider these issues from the perspective of migrants and minoritised groups, in particular, exploring potential developments through the interconnection of knowledge, art and action.

Conference organisers opened a call for session contributions which will close on 21 April. Contributers are invited to investigate the overall theme of the conference and other connected issues concerning, for instance, migration, mobility, eco-crisis, eco-social justice, trans/nationalism, populism, safety, belonging, displacement, racialisation, intersectionality and human and minority rights. Methods-based sessions focusing on themes such as the ethics of migration research and methods of knowledge co-creation are also encouraged. Traditional academic proposals as well as creative and arts-based workshops are welcome.

Sessions may take place in one or several languages. A session proposal - of approximately 250 words - should be submitted via the online application form. The next call, for paper submissions to accepted sessions, will open on 6 May.