Organizers: Berfin Nur Osso (berfin.osso@helsinki.fi), Ana Tarazona (ana.tarazona@tuni.fi) and Adriana Calvo (adriana.calvoviota@tuni.fi)
In the face of global turbulence and the resulting rise in human mobility, it is vital to explore innovative and multidisciplinary approaches to understanding and addressing the challenges faced by migrants. Transcending distinctions such as forced/voluntary, legal/irregular, internal/external migration, this panel seeks to explore how visual approaches can be utilized to unpack narratives of migration and empower marginalized individuals and communities to claim their political rights from the bottom up. By centering the experiences and voices of those directly experienced migration, we aim to challenge dominant discourses and amplify alternative narratives of longing, belonging, safety, and agency.
Topics may include:
1. The role of visual storytelling in representing the experiences of individuals and communities who have experienced displacement, exile, mobility, etc.;
2. Researcher positionality and reflexivity in visual approaches, their implications for knowledge production and ethical engagement;
3. Collaborative and participatory approaches to visual storytelling with migrants, including displaced communities;
4. The role of visual storytelling in challenging populist and nationalist discourses and reshaping public discourse on migration and minority rights;
5. Ethical considerations in using visual methods within migration research.
We welcome contributions from researchers, artists, activists, and practitioners working at the intersection of borders, migration, conflict, and visual studies. We encourage diverse perspectives and methodologies, including traditional academic presentations, visual exhibitions, film screenings, and interactive workshops. Our goal is to create a dynamic and inclusive space for dialogue and exchange that fosters new insights, collaborations, and strategies for building more hopeful futures amidst turbulent times.