research proposal

Since I've been thinking and attempting to work on my phd research proposal, I thought of using this space as a site for my thoughts, my work, other people's thoughts and works.

I am curious to look into the intersections of sexuality and migration. In particular I am interested to inquire into the impact of sexuality on migration, and vice versa. What can be learned and understood, by myself and others, from this multilayered exploration and analysis of my personal and professional experiences as a queer activist, researcher and migrant? How can this research promote understanding of the human experience and challenge and shift practices around such subjects as sexuality, citizenship, discrimination and migration? What are the shifts in citizenship upon being associated with migration and non-heteronormative sexualities?

I have thought about the ways to go about this and I'm sure that this will be changing as time goes by. The main areas I have planned to engage with in this research are migration, queer migrant narratives, citizenship and nationalism, assimilation, queer theory, identity construction and [dis]location. This proposed research will focus on mapping stories of queer migrants in Europe through mixed methodologies. My use of “queer migrants” here refers initially to those people who leave their “home/nation as a result of their sexuality” (Roque Ramirez, 2005), acknowledging the fact that the concept could be broadened to represent a diversity of experiences and understandings.

Having written this, I do hope to use this blog as a journal for the stream of thoughts and ideas...mine and yours.