Research

The Centre on Race, Ethnicity and Migration (CREM) brings together a number of researchers who are working in the fields of race and ethnicity, migration and refugee studies. They work on their own scholarly research and on externally funded research. The Centre also provides a home for a growing number of research students whose research is linked to its work.

CREM research news   

Professor Alice Bloch is currently working on an Economic and Social Research Council-funded two year research project, 'Undocumented Migrants, Ethnic Enclaves and Networks: Opportunities, traps or class-based constructs', which is a collaboration between the Department of Sociology, City University London and the Working Lives Research Institute, London Metropolitan University.

The study examines the labour market experiences and aspirations of 60 undocumented migrants from three countries of origin - Bangladesh, China and Turkey (including Kurds) - and 24 minority ethnic entrepreneurs employing people from these three groups. The research is investigating the ways in which migrants and their employers use their social networks and other forms of social capital in relation to work and the ways in which working relationships operate within frameworks of ethnicity, class, power and gender.

In addition, Professor Bloch is writing two books, Race, Multiculture and Social Policy (with Sarah Neal and John Solomos) and Sans Papiers: The Social and Economic Lives of Undocumented Migrants (with Nando Sigona and Roger Zetter).

Dr Milena Chimienti is currently working on research into the mobilisation of people in vulnerable situations, comparing the case of irregular migrants, sex workers and drug users in different European cities.

Dr Liza Schuster research interests include Asylum, Migration and Racism. She has recently been concentrating on deportation, both within the EU between Member States under Dublin II, but also from EU MS back to countries such as Afghanistan and Uganda. She is examining the impact of deportation on individuals, their families and communities. She is also working on a number of writing projects, including some with other members of the Centre.

Professor John Solomos is currently focusing on two main projects. First the completion of some ongoing writing projects linking various aspects of his recent research as well as more general books on the sociology of race and racism. In addition, he is working on ideas for the development of future funded research.