On 4 September 2025 we will organize the MIGLOBA/GOVTRUST symposium on administrative limbos and racialized citizens. In this cross-over event between migration studies and public administration, we will examine how racialized citizens can become stuck in liminality and what the impact of such experiences are.
In recent years, multiple studies have explored how asylum seekers and refugees may find themselves in conditions of limbo, characterised by waiting that can last years, as well as a suspension of time associated with the permanence in liminal areas, such as camps and other border zones (Brun and Fabos, 2015). However, research has increasingly suggested that limbo-like situations are not limited to migration affairs. Limbo seems to be part of the everyday life for many groups of citizens when engaging with bureaucratic systems. Especially, individuals belonging to ethnic minorities, migrants and racialised citizens are disproportionally confronted with delays over missing documents, administrative exceptions and racially targeted burdens (Moynihan et al., 2022).
The day is split into two sections: a workshop aimed at academics during the day, and an evening symposium aimed at practitioners and broader audiences.
Day workshop (academically focused): during the day, we will hold an academic paper workshop on administrative limbo. Authors working on limbo will discuss their ongoing research on limbo and racialized citizens (including migrants and racialized citizens (such as second-generation migrants)), focusing on both the individual-level experience and the causes of limbo.
Evening symposium (all welcome): during the evening session, two experts (Bjorn Kleizen & Milena Belloni) will discuss the state of the art on administrative limbo, the state-of-the-art and how government and civil society should respond. In addition, we will invite practitioners as keynote speakers to provide their own contributions, drawing on their experience with administrative limbo. The evening will finish with a panel discussion with all speakers.
Please register as soon as possible (in particular places for the academic seminar are limited!) by using the link below:
Academic seminar:
Place: Agora, Lessius room (Grote Kauwenberg 2, 2000 Antwerpen)
Time: 09:30-15:30 (registration opens at 09:00, lunch provided)
Evening symposium:
Place: Hof Van Liere, F. Tassis room (Prinsstraat 13, 2000 Antwerp)
Time: session from 17:00-19:30 (registration opens at 16:30, reception at 19:30)
We hope we will see you all there!