Organized by
Nicholas Sambanis & Eleni Kyrkopoulou
IDENTITY AND CONFLICT LAB @ YALE
More than ten years after the 2015 refugee crisis in Europe, the public policy debate regarding immigration in Europe seems to focus more on how to prevent (or preempt) immigration inflows rather than on how to resolve immigrant integration challenges. Debates regarding the legality of immigration are increasingly more frequent and asylum policies are becoming more stringent in several countries. Has there been progress in designing and implementing immigrant integration policies and are there new paradigms that should inform how new citizens should be integrated in European states? In Greece –the country that was most affected by the 2015 crisis—a newly constituted Ministry of Migration and Asylum developed a “National Integration Strategy” which exists uncomfortably with charges that state agencies push migrants back so they don’t reach the country’s shores; and where new legislation imposes strict prison terms on asylum seekers who overstay their welcome. In other European countries, such as Denmark, the government has taken preemptive action to reduce migrant inflows before they occur by posting ads regarding the difficulties that migrants will encounter in Denmark. Is it possible to develop a coherent strategy of immigrant integration in this climate of increased pre-emption and aversion to immigration? What progress has there been over the past decade in forging policies that achieve a “two-way integration process which should be supported by cooperation, dialogue and active involvement of the reception society at all levels” (Hellenic Republic, National Strategy document; 2022, p. 7)?
The Identity & Conflict Lab is hosting a 2-day conference focused on what “two-way” integration processes should look like – both in theory and in practice. To that end, we invite proposals for papers that present cutting-edge empirical research focused on immigration in Europe and other geographic regions. We welcome thoughtful proposals focusing on ideas, measures, and practices of immigrant integration; evaluations of policies that improve outcomes for migrants and/or native populations; and empirical studies of policy instruments that were designed to improve welfare outcomes for affected populations. Our concern is not only with improving outcomes for migrant communities, but also with addressing the needs of the local societies that host migrants. We seek to understand the challenges those societies face, and to promote solutions that reduce conflict between natives and immigrants. We seek thought-provoking papers that are grounded in theory while providing rigorous and original empirical analyses that address questions of vital practical, normative, and policy importance. We are open with regard to methodological and disciplinary approach.
Interested scholars should submit abstracts no longer than 300 words for consideration by November 30, 2025. Notifications of acceptances by January 15, 2026. Paper drafts must be submitted 3 weeks before the conference to be included in the program. Only completed (unpublished) papers will be accepted. Well-developed pre- analysis plans will also be considered.
The conference will be held in the historical city of Nafplio on June 12-13. Presenters should arrive on the evening of June 11th. We cover accommodation expenses for 3 nights (June 11, 12, and 13) and most meals. Presenters are responsible for their own travel expenses and are free to make their own travel plans to Nafplio. There is no registration fee. Abstracts should be submitted here. If you encounter any issues with the form, please send your Name, Title, Affiliation, and abstract directly to Eleni Kyrkopoulou ([email protected]). Any inquiries can also be directed to this address.