This event was presented by UBC Connects at Robson Square in November 2024 and hosted by the UBC Centre for Migration Studies and the Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC
On November 13, 2024, the UBC Connects at Robson Square partnered with the Centre for Migration Studies (CMS) and the Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies of BC (AMSSA) to host the second annual CMS-Sector Research Collaborations Day. This event aimed to strengthen connections between migration researchers and professionals in British Columbia’s immigration and settlement sector.
Morning Session: Decolonizing Actions within Eurocentric Systems
The public morning session opened with a panel presentation and moderated dialogue featuring four guest speakers whose work intersects migration, Indigeneity, and systemic critique. The speakers—Tsunaxen Willie Lewis, Atlanta-Marinna Grant, Dr. Harald Bauder, and Dr. Sandeep Agrawal—offered diverse perspectives informed by cultural practice, policy, planning, and academic research.
Together, they explored the complexities of pursuing decolonial goals while working within Eurocentric systems—highlighting both the constraints imposed by institutional norms and the possibilities for transformation.
The conversation invited participants to consider how migration research and settlement work might better account for Indigenous sovereignty, structural racism, and settler responsibilities.
The session underscored the need for reciprocal relationships across communities and institutions, challenging researchers and practitioners alike to hold space for contradiction, remain accountable to the people their work impacts, and pursue decolonial approaches not as fixed outcomes but as ongoing practices.
Afternoon Session: Building Research Collaborations
In the afternoon, a smaller group of university affiliates and professionals from BC’s immigration and settlement sector gathered for an interactive session focused on building future research collaborations.
The session began with a presentation by the UBC Centre for Migration Studies (CMS) team, highlighting opportunities for the sector to access research support, co-develop projects, and leverage CMS’s interdisciplinary expertise.
Participants then engaged in a Speed Networking activity designed to foster meaningful connections. This dynamic format encouraged sharing of interests, challenges, and potential project ideas across institutional boundaries.
The session was enriched by the contributions of:
- Caitlin Chong (UBC Sociology, Yarrow Intergenerational Society for Justice)
- Dr. Amanda Cheong (UBC Sociology)
- Dr. Irene Bloemraad (CMS Co-Director)
- Dr. Antje Ellermann (CMS Co-Director)
- Javier Ojer (CMS Engagement Strategist)
- Katie Crocker (CEO, AMSSA)
- Dr. Sandra Schinnerl (Postdoctoral Fellow, CMS)
Each brought unique insights grounded in lived experience, research expertise, and sectoral leadership. Discussions addressed how to better align research with sector priorities, and emphasized community-led knowledge creation, relational accountability, and practical support for frontline service organizations. The session concluded with an open invitation to continue building partnerships with CMS, reinforcing its commitment to reciprocal, decolonial, and community-embedded research.
For more details, visit the official event summary or download the original event program (PDF).
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