Join the inaugural conference of The Global Migration Institute at 果酱视频
April 15鈥�17, 2026
At 果酱视频
Overview
International migration is increasingly diverging from the neat categories that policy and scholarship use to describe it. Unlike the past, when migration was thought to be a linear trajectory from a country of origin to a country of destination, with the intention of settlement, migration today is becoming more complex, often involving multiple journeys and under different policy categories. Migrants today do not easily fit the policy categories of labour migrant, refugee, or international student 鈥� they tend to have mixed motivations: economic, political, and family-related. Digital mobility further complicates migration: digital nomads have emerged as a new type of lifestyle migration while many migrant workers are engaged in digital platforms to provide their services to overseas employers. Further, international migration is often intertwined with internal migration or forced displacement making it even more difficult to fit human mobility into legal structures of 鈥榮afe, orderly and regular鈥� migration.
This conference offers a reflection on what is considered 鈥榬egular鈥� or 鈥榥ormal鈥� migration, and what is now viewed as 鈥榗omplex鈥� migration, through a series of dedicated plenary panels. We will examine the weaponization of migration and the emergence of migration diplomacy in an increasingly unstable world. We will also offer analytical reflections on the dimensions of complexity that characterize migration and its governance today. The conference also presents two sets of panels discussing different methodologies in studying complex migration 鈥� big data and AI on one hand, and participatory creative methods on the other.
This conference serves as the concluding annual event of the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Migration and Integration program at 果酱视频, as well as the Inaugural Conference of the Global Migration Institute at 果酱视频.
Program
| 10 AM - 3:30 PM | Pre-Conference WorkshopsLocation: 果酱视频 Campus (In-Person Only) Note: These workshops run concurrently. Participants may only register for one session. Space is strictly limited to 25 participants per workshop. Registration for the pre-conference workshops is not included with your ticket to the main conference. These pre-conference workshops offer an opportunity for in-depth engagement with the core themes of the Rethinking Complex Migration conference. Workshop A: Big Data and Migration Research: Concepts, Data Infrastructures, and Analytical HorizonsFacilitated by Tuba Bircan, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) Workshop B: Disrupting Research: Exploring Creative and Participatory MethodsFacilitated by Alka Kumar and Lara El Mekaui, 果酱视频 |
| 5:00 - 5:30 PM | Welcome and Launch of 果酱视频鈥檚 Global Migration Institute Senior Choir, Community Music Schools of Toronto, conducted by Gwenna Fairchild-Taylor, accompanied by Benson Lee, guitar Anna Triandafyllidou, Founding Director of the Global Migration Institute, 果酱视频 Steven N. Liss, Vice-President, Research and Innovation, 果酱视频 |
| 5:30 - 7:00 PM | Session 1 Roundtable: The State (and Future) of Migration in Canada Amidst Global Conflict Canada is at a crossroads in building a stronger economy and a more resilient and welcoming society in the face of demographic decline, stagnant productivity, economic aggression from the United States, and growing geopolitical uncertainty around the world. The new context presents challenges but also opportunities for Canadian immigration. Prime Minister Carney has emphasized the importance of attracting 鈥榯op talent鈥� as well as making sure that immigration takes place at sustainable levels. This year鈥檚 budget includes a drastic reduction in temporary immigration levels, while levels of permanent immigration have remained stable, including facilitating transitions of those already settled in Canada to permanent status. At the same time, significant changes to Canadian border and refugee policy, such as expansion of the Canada-US Safe Third Country Agreement, increased border enforcement mechanisms, and reforms to the refugee determination system, are reshaping Canada鈥檚 border and refugee protection landscape. Such changes risk human rights violations and threaten Canada鈥檚 international human rights and refugee protection obligations. In the midst of growing conflict and forced migration, as well as shifting social attitudes, political divides, and economic pressures both within Canada and internationally, this panel will explore how Canada can balance economic priorities, humanitarian commitments, and the long-term sustainability of its immigration system. Moderator: Ginella Massa, Broadcast Journalist & Media Consultant Speakers:
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| 7:00 PM | Reception |
| 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | Registration and continental breakfast |
| 9:00 AM - 9:15 AM | Welcome remarks Martha Munezhi, Executive Director, Bridging Divides, 果酱视频 Michelle Chr茅tien, Assistant Vice-President, Research Partnerships and Commercialization Zhixi Zhuang, Associate Director for Education and Capacity Building, Global Migration Institue, 果酱视频 |
| 9:15 AM - 10:30 AM | Session 2 Dialogue: Why We Need a Global Migration Institute In the age of global value chains, instant connectivity around the world, and growing transnational challenges, such as climate change and uneven demographic growth/decline, migration research needs to address increasingly complex questions and realities that require both a national and local lens, and an engagement with comparative analysis and transnational socio-economic processes. This panel will discuss the role of the Global Migration Institute, based at the heart of a global city like Toronto, building on decades of research and public engagement on migration. The discussion seeks to de-centre our engagement and thinking by inviting scholars from different world regions with significant experience and expertise in the academic and policy world. Chair: Anna Triandafyllidou, 果酱视频 Speakers:
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| 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM | Coffee break |
| 11:00 AM - 12.30 PM | Session 3 Panel: Migration Diplomacy Migration diplomacy has come to occupy an important place in international relations during the last ten years. Destination countries have used it as a lever to exert pressure on origin and transit countries, externalising border controls. Countries of origin or transit have used migrants and asylum seekers to negotiate preferential treatment whether for legal migration, visa waivers, or trade agreements. Overall, there has been a growing trend of instrumentalisation and even weaponisation of migration which more often than not has led to increased human rights鈥� violations for people on the move. This panel will offer empirical and analytical insights on migration diplomacy from a variety of world regions, including South and Southeast Asia, West Asia, East Africa, and the Middle East. Chair: Richa Shivakoti, 果酱视频 Speakers:
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| 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM | Lunch break |
| 1:30 PM - 3:00PM | Session 4 Parallel Panels SESSION 4.1 | Room: Oakham Lounge Panel: Complex Migration and Uncertainty: Blurred Categories, Recognition, and Belonging Chair: Asma Atique, 果酱视频 Deconstructing Highly Skilled Migration: Towards a Decentered Perspective | Urmi Nanda Biswas, University of Delhi Shifting Grounds: Skilled Migration and the Multiplicities of Uncertainty | Ashika Niraula and Rica Agnes Castaneda, 果酱视频 Navigating triple uncertainty: Francophone asylum seekers鈥� trajectories in Toronto following U.S. immigration restrictions | Guillermo Candiz, Universit茅 de l鈥橭ntario fran莽ais, and Jasmine B茅gin Marchand, University of Toronto The Camera is on! Exploring Migration in a Digital Community of Practice | Abdallah Ounour Hassan Ounour, University of Urbino Carlo Bo SESSION 4.2 | Room: Thomas Lounge Panel: Migralusion: A Mix-Transnational Theory of 鈥楯apa鈥� Culture Chair: Adebusuyi Isaac Adeniran, Obafemi Awolowo University Japa in the Context of Migralusion | Adefisoye Othniel Adebusuyi, Obafemi Awolowo University Japa Process 2050: The interface of Migration One Stop Information and Skill Center as a Strategy for Legal Pathways | Akinwale Ojomo, University of Porto Rethinking Complexity: Intercultural Partnerships and the Future of Migration Governance | Remi Alapo, City University of New York (CUNY) and John Onigbinde, University of Ilorin SESSION 4.3 | Room: Tecumseh Auditorium Panel: Digital Infrastructures, Surveillance & Online Communities Chair: Yousef Khalifa Aleghfeli, 果酱视频 Digital Media, Integration, and Transnationalism Among Sub-Saharan African Migrants in Canada: Navigating Complexity in the Era of Online Communities | Rufaro Kaseke, University for the Creative Arts Digital Transnational Social Protection: Reimagining the Interfaces Between Migrants and Welfare Systems | Thales Speroni, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS); Centre Norbert Elias (CNE) Peer Support and Digital Mutual Aid Among DACA Recipients on Reddit Across Presidential Administrations | Nari Yoo, University of Michigan Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Refugee and Immigrant Support: A Scoping Review | Jihye Lee, Washington University |
| 3:00 PM - 3:15 PM | Tea break |
| 3:15 PM - 4:30 PM | Session 5 Roundtable: Rethinking Complexity in Migration Governance In the 20th century, migration was generally understood as a movement from origin to destination, followed usually by settlement, and at times by return after either a short or long period. The distinction between labour migrants and asylum seekers or refugees was clear, and policies governing each population were distinct. In the 21st century, however, we note that understanding and governing migration becomes increasingly complex. We have increasingly acknowledged that motivations (economic and protection-related) are mixed, and the direction of movement is not linear (people move onwards or return and depart again). Even countries that used to mainly deal with migration for settlement, like Canada or Australia, are increasingly experimenting with both temporary and permanent migration categories. Migrants鈥� intentions become also more volatile, opportunities for international remote work increase, and time and space seem more compressed than ever before. Taking stock of these developments, this roundtable will present empirical and analytical insights on defining and analyzing complexity in migration, looking at motivations, legal categories, duration, spatial scale, physical or digital character, and the challenges that arise for migration governance. Chair: Anna Triandafyllidou, 果酱视频 Speakers:
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| 4:30 PM - 5:45 PM | Session 6 Discussion Tables: Rethinking Migration Policy and Research Practices to Reflect Complex and Mixed Migration Introduction: Ashika Niraula, 果酱视频 Attendees will join a facilitated small group discussion to exchange ideas from diverse perspectives and experiences. |
| 6:00 PM | Buffet dinner |
| 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM | Continental Breakfast |
| 9:00 AM - 10.30 AM | Session 7 Panel: Using Big Data to Study Migration The advancement of digital technologies and the increased connectivity in our everyday activities has generated, almost inadvertently, a wealth of data that can be harnessed and analysed for the study of human migration. Such data can originate from the individual user and their digital trail, or may be generated through computer applications that have the capacity to scrape the internet, collect and systematize data, or simply through social media channels. The availability and ease of use of such data opens up new horizons for the study of human mobility but it also raises a number of methodological, analytical, and ultimately ethical questions. This panel will offer empirical and theoretical perspectives on the use and abuse of big data and related methodological tools in the study of human migration. Chair: Marshia Akbar, 果酱视频 Speakers:
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| 10:30 AM - 11:00 PM | Coffee break |
| 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM | Session 8 Roundtable: Using Participatory Creative Methods to Study Migration and Integration This roundtable focuses on the use of creative and arts-based methods in analysing migration and integration processes. We understand such methods not merely as tools for disseminating research findings, but as methods in their own right that can lead to new concepts and novel empirical insights which the researchers would not be able to achieve otherwise. The panel also interrogates how we measure and assess the impact of the arts on the migration and integration process considering both career trajectories and overall feelings of identity and belonging in a new country. Chair: Amin Moghadam, 果酱视频 Speakers:
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| 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM | Lunch break |
| 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM | Session 9 Parallel Panels SESSION 9.1 | Room: Oakham Lounge Panel: Governance, Networks, and Complex Mobility Chair: Alemtsehay Subhatu, 果酱视频 Navigating the City: Refugee Internal Mobility Within Kenya | Asrat Koricha Tolossa, Refugee Lead Research Hub (RLRH) Gendered mobilities and complex migration: Human trafficking risks among Ukrainian women refugees in Poland | Aitolgon Boronbaeva, University of Warsaw Quiet Borders, Sticky Signs: Representations of Afghan Immigrants and Refugees in Iranian News Coverage | Faezeh Esmaeili, York University Beyond 50lbs of Luggage: Memory Making with Carried Things | Wang Zi, York University Transforming labour migration governance in Nepal: insights and policy reforms | Pravin Koirala, Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security, Government of Nepal SESSION 9.2 | Room: Thomas Lounge Panel: Navigating Displacement and Global Mobility Chair: Masoud Kianpour, 果酱视频 Complexity in Global Mobility Policy Architecture: Externalization in North America and Europe | Gamze Ovacik, McGill University Capturing the dynamics of mobility aspirations and constraints: a typology of complex migration trajectories | J茅r茅mie Molho and Maryam Lashkari, 果酱视频 How IDPs Are Becoming Refugees: Complex Migration, Displacement Urbanisation, and the Limits of Internal Protection in Nigeria | Rebecca Enobong Roberts, Technical University of Berlin Toward data-driven and complex systems approaches to displacement research | Woi Sok Oh, University of Waterloo SESSION 9.3 UPDATE: Session combined with Session 4.3 on April 16, 2026 |
| 3:00-3:30 PM | Tea break |
| 3:30 PM 鈥� 5:00 PM | Session 10 Panel: Migration Narratives Challenge Student Video Competition Premiere and Discussion During the Fall 2025 term, CERC Migration launched the Migration Narratives Challenge, an exciting digital storytelling competition designed to enhance knowledge mobilization. Creative students from across Canada were selected in a competetive process to collaborate with leading migration researchers and work with them to transform their complex migration research into compelling digital stories. This panel presents the works of our creative teams as well as present awards the top three submissions. Chair: Cyrus Sundar Singh, 果酱视频 Finalists: Vanessa Ter谩n Collantes, Concordia University, Montreal Fyrouz Abuoun, University of Alberta John Lui, University of British Columbia Researchers: Emma Bouillard, 果酱视频 Monica Gagnon, 果酱视频 Asma Atique, 果酱视频 |
| 5:00 PM | Performance by Mariam Shakaa Concluding Remarks Anna Triandafyllidou, 果酱视频 |
| 5:30 PM | Buffet dinner |
