LIST OF PANELS

High numbers of people moving around the globe has drawn attention to migrant needs across a range of areas. In recent years, hundreds of thousands of refugees have arrived in host countries across the world, often in communities that have not experienced high levels of immigration before. The ability and willingness of these countries to address the needs of newcomers are being challenged on a number of fronts. Migrant families face a wide range of challenges along the journey as well as during the transition to life in the host community.

Reasons for leaving their home countries are varied, but many newcomers have experienced traumatic circumstances including exposure to war, violence, extreme poverty, natural disasters, religious persecution, and political repression. The resettlement process of finding housing, suitable employment, entering the school system, and learning the language of the host country add new challenges for this population. In addition, migrants are increasingly encountering attitudes of discrimination and exclusion. These pre-migration and settlement experiences coupled with difficulties in acculturation to a new country can lead to severe and long-lasting health issues. There is growing recognition and concern regarding the health care needs of refugees and recent immigrants, given the high levels of trauma and stress people have experienced, combined with the lower access and utilization of many health services.

The policies that lead to migration, direct the journey, and shape the settlement process effect all aspects of the experiences of migrants. These policies perpetuate inequities and social exclusion in a multitude of ways, in all aspects of the lives of migrating people. Examples include access to health and social care, housing, education, as well processes of gaining legal formal status, or recognition of education or professional experience in the receiving country. These all have a profound impact on the health of migrant and their families. This panel will focus on the global, regional and national policy contexts that shape the everyday experiences of health and health care of migrating people and families.

We are seeking papers that examine how the policy context shapes the health and health care experiences of migrants. The focus is inclusive of policy at the international, national, regional, and local governance levels, as well as within health and social care organizations. We are aiming for a mix of papers, including policy analyses, to case studies examining the experiences of migrating people during their journey and settlement. We particularly encourage papers that are using a gender-based analysis and provide recommendations for advancing health equity. We ask that papers consider the implication of their research findings for policy recommendations that aim to improve health experiences of people forced into migration.

Questions to Consider:

·      Experiences of migrating across multiple jurisdictions.

·      The differences between temporary versus permanent settlement challenges.

·      Social exclusion of migrants through policies around credential recognition and employment opportunities.

·      Policies that shape health care access and quality of services.

·      Housing and neighbourhood environments of new migrants.

·      Political advocacy on migration, equity and social inclusion.

Submission Requirements:

Submit an abstract (through the IPPA conference website) that clearly states your research question and your corresponding argument. Please also indicate which academic discipline(s) you are drawing from.

Abstracts should be 350-500 words in length. Participation is open to both junior and senior scholars.

We encourage panel participants to be prepared to participate in a session dialogue and other interactive elements to facilitate an engaging session for attendees.