(In)mobility, Displacement and Belonging

Displacement is one of the defining socio-political challenges of the 21st century. At the end of 2020, the UNHCR estimated that more than 82 million people globally are displaced, the highest number ever recorded. With ongoing civil unrest in diverse locations around the world, and the growing impact of climate change, these numbers are expected to grow exponentially by the end of the century.

Religious actors, identity, rituals, discourses and narratives are a key component of frameworks used to make sense of displacement in contemporary state-centric politics. Migrants possessing privileged religious identities have greater potential for acceptance and protection in some contexts. Religious actors provide life-saving support for people experiencing displacement in others. Research under this theme explores the complex and diverse ways in which religion matters in contemporary notions of political belonging and (im)mobility.

Researcher associated to this research theme: Dr Erin Wilson