Superdiversity

The past twenty years have seen the emergence of an era of superdiversity. As new migration channels surfaced, transnational networks evolved and global connectivity and communication increased we have seen migration of unprecedented scale and complexity. Previous eras of migration have largely consisted of economic migrants arriving from countries with which they have some kind of connection, and then being joined by family, eventually forming the large and stable minority communities that are a key feature of 21st century multiculturalism. New migration sees people arriving in cities like Birmingham from almost every country in the world. New migrants are diverse across a wide range of variables including ethnicity, immigration status, rights and entitlements, labour market experiences, gender and age profiles, and patterns of spatial distribution. While the emergence of this super or hyperdiversity is gradually being acknowledged by academics, politicians and policymakers we lack knowledge about what it means for societies and economies. Vertovec (2007) sets out a wide range of implications associated with superdiversity but as yet little work has been undertaken to explore in a systematic way the meanings, opportunities and challenges associated with our new condition. In response to these gaps in knowledge the University of Birmingham is seeking to establish a research institute for the interdisciplinary study of superdiversity. Some 50 academics from across the University have confirmed their willingness to participate in the new institute (see below). All were invited to the workshop and 40 were able to attend. Many are undertaking work in similar areas but have had no previous contact. The aim of the workshop was to bring these colleagues together. We used the workshop to a) help link academics from across the University with others who have similar interests b) to use the synergy emerging from new relationships to help identify research agendas in superdiversity c) to identify the range of questions that can be explored under each agenda. Five work streams were identified from the workshop and five proposals for future interdisciplinary work have been prepared.

The Workshop

Through gathering academics from across the University with academics, policymakers to participate in focused discussions aimed at developing new agendas in superdiversity we hope to build new relationships and most importantly provide the opportunity for the emergence of interdisciplinary research themes. Such work is critical if the Institute for Research into Superdiversity (IRiS) is to operate in a truly interdisciplinary fashion. Bringing together people from different disciplines (ie in the area of migrant health there are staff in IASS researching access to health, colleagues in Public Health researching health messages and those in Education researching multilingualism and health) will bring new perspectives on social and economic problems. The research themes emerging from the workshop formed the foundation of the workstreams adopted by IRiS. Each theme will be further developed through focused work with Steven Vertovec when he visits the University in October. http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/social-policy/departments/applied-social-studies/news-and-events/2012/07/steven-vertovec-lecture.aspx

http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/staff/excellence/fellows/2011/areas/transnationalism-superdiversity.aspx

Academic staff with interests in IRiS