At a time when global debates about the movement of people have never been more heated, this book provides readers with an accessible, student-friendly guide to the subject of forced migration.
Readers of this book will learn who forced migrants are, where they are and why international protection is critical in a world of increasingly restrictive legislation and policy. The book outlines key definitions, ideas, concepts, points for discussion, theories and case studies of the various forms of forced migration. In addition to this technical grounding, the book also signposts further reading and provides handy Key Thinker boxes to summarise the work of the field’s most influential academics. Drawing on decades of experience both in the classroom and in the field, this book invites readers to question how labels and definitions are used in legal, policy and practice responses, and to engage in a richer understanding of the lives and realities of forced migrants on the ground.
Perfect for undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in courses related to migration and diaspora studies, Introducing Forced Migration will also be valuable to policy-makers, practitioners, journalists, volunteers and aid workers working with refugees, the internally displaced and those who have experienced trafficking.
Table of Contents:
1. Introduction to the Study of Forced Migration 2. Who is a ‘Refugee’ and Who is an ‘Asylum Seeker’? 3. Who Is an ‘Internally Displaced Person’? 4. Who is a ‘Victim’ or ‘Survivor’ of Trafficking? 5. Mixed Movements of People and Human Rights 6. ‘Children on the Move’ and the ‘Displaced Child’ 7. Understanding Legislative and Policy Responses and Ethical Imperatives 8. Contemporary Issues, the Refugee ‘Crisis’ and Proposed ‘Solutions’
About the Author :
Patricia Hynes is a Reader in Forced Migration in the School of Applied Social Studies, University of Bedfordshire, UK.
Review :
"Patricia Hynes’ Introducing Forced Migration is an eclectic and extremely accessible exploration of this widely deployed but complex concept. Based on a rich variety of sources - summaries of ‘key thinkers’, key websites, extensive research and literature references, legal instruments, case studies – the book provides a comprehensive foundational understanding of forced migration, constituting a valuable resource for scholars, students and informed laypeople." – Roger Zetter, Professor Emeritus in Refugee Studies, Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford, UK
"With human stories and an appeal for social justice and human rights at its heart, this is a book that unravels complexities of definition, reveals misleading simplicity behind labels and counters popular and media-driven assumptions. It demonstrates how flawed international policy responses are based on little understanding. Essential reading for students, researchers, policy-makers and practitioners, the book critiques how the international community has responded. It signposts the need for political courage, vision and collaboration to create a context where hope can replace fear and diverse peoples can be protected from abuse, and their wellbeing enhanced in safer places." -- Michael Preston-Shoot, Emeritus Professor of Social Work, University of Bedfordshire, UK
"This is a truly remarkable book that manages to introduce not only the complex issues of refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced people, the trafficked and others under the heading of ‘forced migration’, but also bring in the key thinkers and writers on these subjects. It does so in a manner that is beautifully clear and accessible to students and a wider audience. The organisation of the material and the maps, graphs, photographs and other graphics are superb. Up to date, it is a brilliant introduction to one of the most pressing issues of the twenty first century." -- Tony Kushner, Professor, Parkes Institute, University of Southampton, UK, and author of The Holocaust and Forced Migration (2017).
"The book is a first-rate introduction to the subject of forced migration. It not only clarifies different terms, concepts, and approaches, but also provides concise discussion, backed by case studies, of the legal, social and political dimensions of the principal categories of forced migrants viz., refugees, internally displaced persons and trafficked persons. I would recommend the book to anyone wanting to understand one of the most important issues of our times." -- B.S.Chimni, Distinguished Professor of International Law, O.P. Jindal Global University, India
"If you want a comprehensive resource on forced migration, Introducing Forced Migration is the textbook for you. Hynes offers critical definitions and policy perspectives that cover topics from the distinctions between refugees and asylum-seekers to human trafficking and displaced children. This book helpfully takes the reader through concepts and complexities of some of the most pressing migration concerns of today, including policy failures pertaining to the Rohingya and the Mediterranean ‘crisis’." – Cathy Zimmerman, Professor Migration, Violence and Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK
"Patricia Hynes’ contribution to Routledge’s Rethinking Development series, Introducing Forced Migration, provides the ground upon which to erect a serious and wellrounded class, which can address the many complex and interrelated issues pertaining to refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced people, and persons who have been smuggled or trafficked. Throughout, there are ample occasions for teachers to use this text as a springboard for class discussions and assignments. Hynes includes prompts and questions about policy matters, definitions, research, fieldwork, ethics of working with displaced people, and the array of ways in which students can get involved in the field." - Robert F. Barsky, Professor, Vanderbilt University
"There are many challenges facing educators who hope to provide a sufficiently comprehensive overview of the various texts and concepts associated with forced migration. Whether the course is formally taught in a law school, or in any of the array of university departments that teach migration, it is difficult to account for the wide range of historical, anthropological, political, sociological, ethical, legal, humanistic, and, therefore, interdisciplinary perspectives that necessarily permeate the study of forced migration. Fortunately, Patricia Hynes’ contribution to Routledge’s Rethinking Development series, Introducing Forced Migration, provides the ground upon which to erect a serious and well-rounded class, that can address the many complex and interrelated issues pertaining to refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced people, and persons who have been smuggled or trafficked." - Robert F Barsky, International Journal of Refugee Law, Volume 33, Issue 3, October 2021, Pages 530–533
