Migrations, displacements and diasporas in Chile and Sweden

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Research Theme Summary

The workshop aimed to analyse and critically examine the causes and consequences of external/internal migrations and displacements in Chile and Sweden from comparative and interdisciplinary perspectives. This includes migration(s) and re-localisation(s) of people driven by political and armed conflicts, expropriation of indigenous lands, socioeconomic inequalities, precarious living and labour conditions and climate change, as well as voluntary migration due to family reunification and opportunities for work and education. Our discussions explored both the convergences and divergences between these two countries.

Internal and external migrations, their causes and consequences, are critical topics within national and international debates, which involve academia and social and political arenas. These complex problematics cannot be addressed by isolated disciplines, but require comprehensive, inter/transdisciplinary approaches that may bring reflexion and solutions at different levels, from public policies, to education, from linguistic and cultural issues to daily practices of conviviality.

PIs

 

Alicia Noemí Salomone, Universidad de Chile

Natalia Ganuza, Uppsala University

 

Participants

 

Rakel Österberg, Stockholm University

Ian Conrich, Stockholm University

Marisol Facuse, Universidad de Chile

Stefan Aguirre Quiroga, University of Gothenburg

 
 

Anders Patrik Olsson, Lund University

Claudia Reyes Quilodrán, Universidad Católica de Chile

Hanna Sofia Rehnberg, Uppsala University

Irene Molina, Uppsala University

 
 

Nicolás Gissi, Universidad de Chile

Phillip Wade, University of Gothenburg

Andrea Cortés Saavedra, Universidad de O’Higgins

Lázaro Moreno, Stockholm University

 
 

Maria Rydell, Stockholm University

Olga Muñoz Leppe, Universidad de Chile – Universidad Metropolitana de Ciencias de la Educación

 

Outcomes

Workshop developed rich interdisciplinary dialogues, promoted experiences exchange among participants, and created a common ground for further collaboration within and beyond the research group.

During the workshop, participants engaged in panel presentations followed by in-depth group discussions, creating a dynamic and collaborative environment. The program also featured two short film screenings - one from Chile and one from Sweden - offering additional perspectives and enriching the overall experience. One of the films was accompanied by a commentary from its filmmaker, adding further insight into the creative process.

The list of topics explored in the workshop included the relationship of migration with education, multilingualism, social conditions and housing, the labour market, imaginaries, senses of belonging, identities, conviviality and conflicts, discrimination, time/space configuration and historical trajectories. A common thread that joined the approaches to these topics was the idea of narratives & storytelling and for this reason, it was included in the title of the research group’s planned edited book.

The forum has laid the groundwork for continued collaboration among participants, with plans to publish a joint research volume, pursue shared funding opportunities, and organize panels at upcoming conferences. In addition, the group aims to strengthen smaller-scale collaborations and develop a new research proposal for presentation at the 2027 ACCESS Forum in Gothenburg, ensuring that the dialogue and partnerships initiated during the workshop continue to grow.