Moving Images: Exploring Migration Through Audiovisual Storytelling
"Moving Images: Audiovisual Representations of Migration and Migrants", brought together academics, artists, community members, and practitioners from across the UK and beyond, fostering rich cross-sector dialogue around migration and representation.
On June 26th, Manchester Metropolitan University hosted “Moving Images: Audiovisual Representations of Migration and Migrants”, a well-attended symposium organised by Migration and Interdisciplinary Global Studies (MIGS) researchers Caitlin Nunn and Benedicte Brahic.
The symposium concluded with ‘Queer Stories of Belonging. Visual Art, Songs and Media’, a lively artistic event co-organised with Contemporary Intimacies, Sexualities and Genders (CISG) research group coordinator, Christian Klesse.
The event brought together academics, artists, community members, and practitioners from across the UK and beyond, fostering rich cross-sector dialogue around migration and representation.
Some of the AHEAD funding facilitated the participation of a French Syrian refugee-background filmmaker.
A Platform for Participation and Dialogue
One of the most striking aspects of the event was its genuinely participatory ethos. Community attendees were not just observers—they were central to the conversations, sharing their lived experiences and reflections. Funding for food, travel, and other essential costs was a crucial enabler, allowing individuals who might not typically engage with academic events to attend and contribute meaningfully.
Support with transport—both local and regional—was particularly appreciated, though organisers acknowledged the logistical challenges involved. Nonetheless, this responsiveness to community needs demonstrated a commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.
Thanks to the Team for organising. Had a marvellous day. Great networking and the presentations were all first class. This knowledge needs to be out there in these insecure times. People can make a difference given the resources and expertise. (Attendee)
thank you so much for having us it was a privilege to be at the conference and to be able to hear all the other amazing research projects!! They were all so inspiring and emotional! Thank you for all the support (Participant)
Sharing Through Storytelling
Participants engaged with a powerful set of films and audiovisual materials exploring migration and its many narratives. These stories, drawn from a range of voices and perspectives, provided an alternative lens through which to understand the complexities of mobility and belonging.
The symposium underscored the value of the arts, humanities, and social sciences in addressing some of today’s most pressing global challenges. Audiovisual storytelling emerged as a compelling medium for promoting awareness, encouraging empathy, and driving social change.
Building Bridges and Creating Impact
The event succeeded in cultivating a national and international community of practice centred around innovative and impactful research. It showcased Manchester Metropolitan University as a hub for creative, collaborative work that bridges academia and society.
Two students, Ayi Adetoro and Gloria Solinas, involved through the J4S internship scheme, supported event delivery—highlighting the importance of involving early-career researchers in internationalisation efforts and community engagement.
Open Access Resources/Reading List
Please note: these are listed in order of appearance in the programme, and references are as provided by contributors. For more details, please contact the contributors directly.
Santokh Gill (University of Huddersfield), ‘Homeward bound’ – the housing transitions of refugees:
Media Outputs:
Rebecca Murray, Maryam Taher, Angel Makhle, Enioluwada Oluwajoba (University of Sheffield),(Re)imagining Sanctuary through the lens of higher education: using comic strips and animation to portray the nexus of Access, Welcome and Protection
Amanda Tavares (Universidade Nova de Lisboa) & Sophie Watt (University of Sheffield), Ongoing oppressions and resistances: visualising the French migration context in Elisa Larvego’s audiovisual installation “Des allers vers”
Lois Orton, Rashida Bibi, Muetesim Ahmed, Lucka Ginova (University of Sheffield), Sean Lovell (Independent filmmaker), community participants, Documenting the life stories of older Black, Asian and Minoritised Ethnic and Refugee (BAMER) communities in Sheffield and Rotherham
Andrew Stevenson (Manchester Metropolitan University), ‘Hoja en Blanco | A new Leaf’: a mosaic video project exploring experiences of place-making in a newly encountered city, audiovisual work and introduction
Nafhesa Ali (Northumbria University) ‘The Lost Voices of Partition’: Stories and silences in audiovisual representations of migrant women’s histories
Audrey Albert (Manchester Metropolitan University), Sea Walkers: A Conversation with Granper Yam and Granmer Philine
Coquillages / Shells (2023)
