Rebecca Ehata
Working thesis title
Lines in the soil: autochthony and the politics of belonging
Project summary
My doctoral research project examines the politics of belonging and the borderlining practices used to demarcate those who belong from those who don't, in relation to migrants and minority communities. I focus primarily on the concept of autochthony, which holds that only those individuals who have a demonstrable ancestral link to the territorial state truly 'belong' there. Autochthonous discourse constructs the idea that there is a 'natural' difference between those who are 'born and bred' and those who aren't; more significantly, it then uses this difference as a marker to determine access to economic, cultural and social resources. My thesis explores the ways in which the logics of autochthony shape the politics and everyday practices of belonging in the UK. I focus on housing as an everyday context, and use empirical material gathered during fieldwork with the Turkish and Kurdish community in North London as a case study in which to unpack the politics of the links between the everyday experiences of Turks and Kurds and wider discourses of belonging in the UK. Placing my work within the broader field of International Relations (IR), my research and case study also reflect on and contribute to wider critical IR concerns, in particular the debates about inclusion and exclusion, practices of statecraft and the role of power in sustaining these. The overriding thesis of this project is that issues of belonging cannot be sidelined by International Relations as a domestic irrelevance, but rather go to the heart of the construction of the discipline. The perpetual contestation and transformation of the borders which delineate 'who belongs' stretch from the most localised and mundane of contexts, through the intermediary of the nation-state, into the global arena. Thus, the discursive construction of the edges of belonging can be described as a conversation with and of the international, and accordingly is inherently bound up with IR.
Supervisors
Dr Peter Lawler & Dr Veronique Pin-Fat
Planned submission date
December 2012
Research interests
My thesis is methodologically structured using discourse theory, in particular Essex School discourse theory based on the work of Laclau and Mouffe; reliant as I am on the literatures and concepts of social anthropology and sociology, I am also drawn to the themes, practicalities and problems of inter-disciplinarity. Other research interests include the impact of UK and European legislation on the rights of migrants and international frameworks covering migration, freedom of movement and the right of asylum, and related topics on issues of citizenship and belonging such as dual/multiple nationality, the concept of allegiance and its impact on our understanding of citizenship, and the politics of mobility.
Academic publications
Ehata, R. (2011); 'The impact of autochthony on practices of belonging in the UK', in Maldoran, S.J. (Ed.), Citizenship, inclusion or exclusion? A contemporary survey, e-book, Oxford, Inter-Disciplinary Press.
Ehata, R. & F. Mieres (2010); 'Rethinking migration and belonging in the 21st century: an introduction', Political Perspectives 4 (2), 1-5.
Other research publications
Ehata, R. & Eida, T. (2010) Evaluation Report: Polish Migrant Community Stop Smoking Support Project: Toolkit & Pilot Evaluation, Commissioned by Crewe and East Cheshire Primary Care Trust/Smokefree Northwest.
Ehata, R. (2010) Supporting the third sector delivery of services to refugees and migrants in Wigan: Research Report, commissioned by Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council.
Tligui, A. & Ehata, R. (2009) The Oxfam UK Poverty Programme Migrant Workers Project: Evaluation Report, commissioned by Oxfam GB.
Tligui, A. & Ehata, R. (2008) Needs Analysis of Vulnerable Migrants in Liverpool: Research Report, commissioned by the British Red Cross Society.
Conferences and invited presentations
March 2011: 'The impact of autochthony on practices of belonging in the UK', presented at the Inter-Disciplinary.Net 6th Global Conference on Pluralism, Inclusion and Citizenship, Prague, Czech Republic.
April 2011: 'Not really one of us? IR, autochthony and the borders of belonging', presented at the British International Studies Association Annual Conference, Manchester.
June 2011: Presentation of research proposal: Poststructural and Critical Thought Research Cluster, Politics, University of Manchester.
Sept 2011: 'Autochthony, housing and belonging amongst Turkish migrants in the UK', presented at the Sixth International Cultural Studies Conference, “Space and Culture”, Istanbul, Turkey – Cultural Studies Association of Turkey.
Dec 2011: 'Rootedness after the riots: reviewing the discursive construction of the Turkish community as 'Outsiders', presented at; Inside/Outside: Postgraduate workshop on New Media, UK Riots and Narratives of Inclusion and Exclusion, CIDRA, University of Manchester.
Dec 2011: 'Making sense of autochthony in the UK: a discourse theory approach', presented to the Poststructural and Critical Thought Research Cluster, Politics, University of Manchester.
Feb 2012: 'Who do we think we are?', Lecture for 2nd year undergraduate module 'Questions about International Politics', University of Manchester.
Teaching experience
- Semester 1, 2009/2010: Teaching Assistant, 'Introduction to International Politics' (1st year undergraduate course)
- Semester 2, 2009/2010: Teaching Assistant, 'Questions about International Politics' (2nd year undergraduate course)
- Semester 1, 2011/2012: Teaching Assistant, 'Introduction to International Politics' (1st year undergraduate course)
- Semester 2, 2011/2012: Teaching Assistant, 'Questions about International Politics' (2nd year undergraduate course)
Prior teaching experience: I taught English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in language schools, a secondary school and to private students in Europe for four years. I currently work as an occasional freelance trainer delivering Shelter’s courses on immigration status and housing rights. In addition to developing EFL courses, I have been designing and delivering training courses on refugee and migrant issues since 2003.
Additional information
Memberships: I am member of the University of Manchester Politics department's Poststructural and Critical Thought research cluster and an associate member of the British International Studies Association. I am also a member of the Editorial Board of Political Perspectives, the University of Manchester's postgraduate journal.
Awards: I was awarded a three-year PhD Studentship by the Politics department, University of Manchester (2009 – 2012).