School Research Seminar - RETORNO study: Conceptual and methodological considerations about return migration in the European context

We are delighted to welcome Dr Pilar Serrano Gallardo (University of Leeds) to deliver the School Research Seminar.

Abstract

In this webinar, I will examine the state of the art of return migration within the current context characterized by transnationalism and liquid migration. I will also analyze the role played by a Welfare State, whose genesis is deeply rooted in colonialism, and Brexit as a disruptive event. This analysis is used as a lens to explore both the methodological problems for the capture of return migration data and the non-binary concept of return migration, which is anticipated fluid by the dynamism of migratory movements, especially in today's Europe. Return migration is influenced by multiple interrelated factors ranging from large-scale economic or political factors to the individual reasons of migrants. In this paper I will argue that the current models of the Welfare State are based on residence and with a colonialist-nationalist structure, and do not respond to new social models characterized by the freedom of movement of people and their human capital. Issues such as lack of protection, non-reciprocity and asymmetry in benefits and socio-health services between countries are more relevant because they are a source of inequalities. Brexit is distorting the familiarity of migrants with their environment, security in the stability of institutional structures and freedom of movement, bringing new vulnerabilities for this population.

Speaker biography

Pilar Serrano Gallardo is a tenured lecturer of Research Methodology in the Nursing Department of the Faculty of Medicine at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain) and Visiting Professor at the University of Sao Paolo (Brazil) since 2012. Pilar is an evaluator of competitive evaluation processes for the Spanish State Research Agency. Her research areas are especially focused on Social Health Inequalities, Migration, Chronicity, Gender and Health. She is currently a Marie SkÅ‚odowska-Curie Postdoctoral fellow in the School of Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Leeds with the RETORNO study: “Interventions on Social Determinants of Health - A comparative study of returned migrants from the UK and Spain post Brexit referendum”.

Event practicalities and joining details

This seminar will be chaired by Dr Rosa Mas Giralt, University of Leeds

The event will be held on Zoom, access the meeting via the link and joining details below:

Meeting ID: 889 9205 0157
Passcode: z7^hNV

https://universityofleeds.zoom.us/j/88992050157?pwd=NzROVVBTdDJEeVBnRXNSb252RW9TZz09

No booking required.

 

You can read our statement on academic debate here.