Many people in Europe and North America demand more control over immigration. Others are concerned about the social, economic, and personal costs of restricting migration. How is it possible to reconcile these different views? How can those who study immigration listen to the full range of different views and provide useful insights to all?

One way forward might be to come up with questions worth asking. For example, can we imagine communities that include everyone and result in improvements of life all around? If not, where are lines to be drawn and who is to draw them?

These questions are crucial for Oxford, which contains the third highest ethnic minority population in the South-East, and 28% of residents are born outside the UK [1]. This makes human migration central to the lives and experiences of city residents, even if these experiences vary in different areas of the city.

We are going to hold four events to talk about migration in areas of Oxford where inequality and disadvantage is most felt. We want to consider the relevance of migration to people’s lives in Oxford and find new ways of thinking and talking about migration.

These events will be a chance to think about important issues of our time and our city. We hope they will be fun. There will not be lofty presentations from Oxford Dons and you will not be tested on what you know. If you are interested in the world and want an opportunity to challenge yourself to think about how you feel about things then please come!

Attendance is free but booking is essential for catering purposes. An Eventbrite registration link for each seminar is available on each seminar page.

[1] Oxford Profile: Key Facts 2016