This project is part of the Centre for Doctoral Training in New Horizons in Borders and Bordering. The ever-growing displacement of people globally has been met with intensified surveillance and datafication of migration. Digital technologies may be used to facilitate and support migrants in their paths and settlement, but they are also increasingly used to border and expel migrants. Research shows how digital technologies have proven useful for navigating perilous journeys, accessing information and resources, maintaining transnational ties, building communities, and better integrating into host societies. While using them, though, migrants are increasingly leaving digital traces. This raises concerns in relation to migrants’ right to privacy, the trustworthiness and fragility of socio-technical systems, and other ways in which digital data may restrict freedoms and pose risks to migrants.
This project will explore issues related to migration datafication. It may consider the digital governance of external ‘third country national’ migrants and/or internal mobile ‘citizens’. This may include considerations of racialized outsiders and/or minoritized insiders/citizens. The broad guiding questions are: How are digital spaces and digital traces implicated in the governance of mobility? How are they experienced and resisted by various categories of migrants? The appointed student may wish to explore such issues in relation to the UK, the EU or in the context of another geographical focus of their choosing.
Proposed methods include some combination of qualitative and participatory methods, co-production of knowledge, case studies, document analysis and digital ethnography.
The project will contribute to knowledge by exploring how the digital landscape relates to narratives of security, human rights, freedom of movement, citizenship, and deservingness. The project may consider ways in which socio-technical systems can be reformed and/or inform better policies for migrants, especially within communities facing vulnerable conditions.
Admissions Criteria
- A strong first degree (2.1 or a first class honours) ideally in a relevant social science subject
- Candidates applying with a Masters degree must have obtained at least a Merit (or equivalent)
- For those candidates for whom English is not their first language or who do not possess a degree from an educational institution using the English language for instruction, candidates must meet the minimum IELTS requirement for their department of application.
Applications should be made to the department of the lead supervisor.
In addition to the online application through the University PGR system -Postgraduate Online Application Form (sheffield.ac.uk), please submit the following as part of the application:
- A 500-word personal statement explaining how your skills, experiences, interests and career plans make you a suitable candidate for the studentship.
- A one page (A4) outline of how you would approach the project including the focus that you would like to take, some indicative research questions, proposed methods, and an indication of any theories or literature that you think will be especially relevant for this project.
We will hold an online information session on 14 December from 12.00 to 13.00. You can sign-up for the session here.
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