Policy Press

Critical Research and Creative Practice with Migrant and Refugee Communities

Towards interventions based on practice research and community voices

Edited by Brian Callan, Pearson Nkhoma and Naomi Thompson

Published

May 1, 2025

Page count

192 pages

ISBN

978-1447372790

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

May 1, 2025

Page count

192 pages

ISBN

978-1447372783

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

May 1, 2025

Page count

192 pages

ISBN

978-1447372806

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Drawing on the voices and experiences of refugees, activists and professional practitioners, this collection illustrates the complexities of migration with real world case studies, and the possibilities of innovative and compassionate interventions.

Highlighting the use of creative and narrative methods in the social, therapeutic and community sectors, all chapters provide clear practice implications. Rather than presenting migration as a problem to be avoided, this book offers original insights on how research and practice can be better informed by the voices of those seeking a better way.

Brian Callan is Lecturer in Psychosocial Studies at Goldsmiths, University of London.

Pearson Nkhoma is Lecturer in Community Studies at Goldsmiths, University of London.

Naomi Thompson is Senior Lecturer in Youth and Community Work at Goldsmiths, University of London.

1. Introduction - Critical Research, Crucial Voices and Creative Practice – by the editors

Part 1: Critical Research

2. Exploring conceptions of ‘home’ with Afghan migrant and refugee women – An Insider-Research Project – Rabia Nasimi

3. From Neoliberalism to Neoexclusionism: How Grassroots Faith Communities Are Resisting Division and Crossing Borders – Naomi Thompson, Graham Bright and Peter Hart

4. Agency & Frustration - Overcoming Obstacles at UNHCR – Brian Callan

5. Practical and Ethical Considerations in Community Engagement and Participatory Research with Vulnerable Groups – Rachel Hughes and Naomi Thompson

Part 2: Crucial voices

6. Abandonment: Out of Sight Out of Mind – Michael Darko

7. Evolving Paradigms - Witnessing Refugees’ Unstable Passages to Safety – Sarah Crawford-Browne

8. “O my body, make of me always a person who always questions the double binds you place me in!” - Eric Harper

9. Unaccompanied Child Migrants: Leaving and Being Prostituted - Pearson Nkhoma

Part 3: Creative practice

10. Social justice, professional values and international organisation: Exploring some motivations for practitioners who work with migrants and the opportunities for value-led practice that this work can present - Finbar Cullinan

11. Finding New Ground: Therapeutic Insights from a Creative Movement and Art Group with Asylum Seeking Women Living in Temporary Accommodation - Marina Rova, Claire Burrell and Marika Cohen

12. Mutual creativity in a hostile environment. How can arts-based well-being interventions operate with integrity amidst punitive policies? - Kate Phillips

13. Creative processes in socially-engaged art and local authority social work with refugee and asylum-seeking young people - Rachel Hughes and Marijke Steedman

14. Conclusion – by the editors