Routes welcomes Dr Lucy Mayblin and Dr Luke de Noronha for a fascinating Routes Conversation on migration and colonialism

Lucy kicked off by answering the question head-on. ‘Why should colonial histories be central to the study of migration?’ Because it is simply not possible to study or understand migration without considering colonial histories. The two are, and likely forever will be, intrinsically linked. It is a fallacy to say that colonisation has left no mark, no legacy, on global migration governance, as is the argument that the process of decolonisation brought colonial practices to a definitive end. Luke then re-orientated the lens of enquiry, from the macro to the individual. Specifically, Luke honed in on the experiences of those who are subject/subjected to the global migration system, in particular, those who face deportation from the UK despite spending most, if not all, of their lives in the country. 

The discussion traversed significant ground, from unpicking global migration governance systems and foregrounding individual experiences, to academic practice, the process and desirability of influencing policy, and decolonisation in higher education teaching. The themes of honesty and critical self-reflection, both individual and societal, permeated throughout.

A timely Conversation on a critically important topic – it was one of the most energetic Routes Conversations to date, thanks to everyone who contributed to the discussion, including, of course, our terrific expert guests.

About our guests

Dr Lucy Mayblin is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sociological Studies at the University of Sheffield. Lucy’s research focuses on asylum, human rights, policy-making, and the legacies of colonialism. Lucy has written three books on these topics, with the most recent being Migration Studies and Colonialism, which is co-authored with Dr Joe Turner.

Dr Luke de Noronha is a Lecturer in Race, Ethnicity and Postcolonial Studies at University College London. Across his research, writing and teaching, Luke is concerned with the relationship between racism and the government of mobility. His work provides critical interventions into debates surrounding ‘race’ and migration in the British context, and he is particularly interested in connections between the legal production of ‘illegality’ and processes of racialisation, between the law and racist culture.

About Routes Conversations

Routes Conversations are informal monthly gatherings where two individuals from different disciplinary or practice backgrounds come together to catalyse a conversation around migration. For details about upcoming Routes Conversations, please visit the Routes Events page.

Written by Dr Ben Hudson (Routes Co-coordinator)