The Master of Migration Studies Thesis Award for the academic year 2022-2023 has just been assigned to the three best Master Theses.

First Prize

Madeleine Pennington, thesis entitled: “From Acting to Activism - Unveiling the Construction of the Distant Sufferer; A Critical Analysis of Celebrity Advocacy’s Representation of the Distant Sufferer”  (Supervisor: Cristina Rodriguez-Reche)

Abstract

This thesis explores the intersection between racialisation and feminisation in the representation of the distant sufferer within the framework of Celebrity Advocacy (CA). While existing discussions on CA touch upon its link to neocolonialism and the oversimplification of complex processes of distant suffering, they lack an intersectional examination of the figure, particularly concerning processes of feminisation and racialisation. By investigating how celebrities and the UNHCR construct a specific representation of the distant sufferer, this study addresses the research question: “In what ways is the distant sufferer represented in celebrity advocacy?” The research focuses on conceptualising CA and the distant sufferer in a post-humanitarian context. At the core of the conceptual development lies the analysis of how processes of racialisation and feminisation influence the formation of the distant sufferer, specifically emphasising their intersectionality. A Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) of Angelina Jolie’s discourse and a visual analysis of accompanying images are employed. Findings reveal that the distant sufferer is racialised under Jolie’s and the UNHCR’s white gaze, and the exhibit of a white saviour complex and paternalistic tone. Furthermore, Jolie’s emphasis on femininity, particularly in relation to motherhood, gender, and sexual violence, obscures other possible causes of vulnerability. Taking an intersectional approach is crucial to challenge the representation of the distant sufferer as a monolithic figure, or “third world woman”. The thesis contributes insights into how CA reimagines those on the move to legitimise hegemonic processes favouring the dominant group. 

 Click here to watch Madeleine Pennington briefly exposing the Master's Thesis justification, objectives, methodology, and results.

Second Prize

Miguel Roberto Parungo, thesis entitled: “Understanding the relationship between  neighbourhood diversity, disposable household income, and mobility in Barcelona city.” (Supervisor: John Palmer)

Abstract

This paper examines the relationship between neighborhood diversity, disposable household income, and mobility patterns to understand how inequalities are reproduced in physical spaces and spatio-temporal routine behavior in Barcelona. The analysis combines mobile phone data with census data on neighborhood diversity and disposable household income. I apply several Spearman Correlation tests, OLS regression methods, tests for heteroskedasticity, and WLS multivariate regressions to test for the relationship of neighborhood diversity, disposable household income and mobility patterns. The results indicate neighborhood diversity alone cannot account for different mobility patterns. However, when disposable income is controlled, the relationship between mobility and neighborhood diversity becomes more apparent. Results show that low-income neighborhoods on average, move out of their residential areas more than highincome neighborhoods. Additionally, among low-income neighborhoods, those that have a higher foreign population have fewer residents who leave their residential areas. Further, residents from diverse low-income neighborhoods travel to less varied destinations. These results confirm the existing literature on mobility and residential mobility and unmask the relationship between both. The study acknowledges the limitations of analyzing Barcelona alone and suggests expanding the analysis to include surrounding municipalities in the metropolitan area. The implications of this research call for further investigation into mobility patterns and how individuals perceive spaces outside their residential areas. The study emphasizes that while differences in mobility patterns are observed, causation cannot be determined solely from this research. 

 Click here to watch Miguel Roberto Parungo briefly exposing the Master's Thesis justification, objectives, methodology, and results.

Third Prize

Isabell Marie-Theres Nohr, thesis entitled: “‘We were deliberately silenced. But not anymore’ acts of citizenship and political agency of people on the move in Libya” (Supervisor: Oriol Puig)

Abstract

Situated at the intersection of the autonomy of migration approach and critical citizenship studies, the thesis explores acts of citizenship of people on the move in Libya. To examine how communicative acts of citizenship enable people on the move to express political agency, the proposal suggests a qualitative, collaborative, and explorative research design using photo-elicitation and photo voice methodologies. While people on the move are mostly constructed as voiceless victims in dominant humanitarian discourse and as security threats in dominant media and policy discourse, the research aims to amplify the voices of people on the move themselves within a post-colonial and reflective research paradigm. By shifting the focus to subject-centred understanding of the situation of people on the move in Libya, the research will be able to challenge dominant discourses that construct people on the move as inferior ‘Other’. 

 Click here to watch Isabell Marie-Theres Nohr briefly expose the Master's Thesis justification, objectives, methodology, and results.

Congratulations to all three students!