Maria Hagan

In certain strategic border areas, new makeshift settlements have arisen, where migrant communities work to establish encampments, only to have them consistently dismantled by government authorities. These areas of habitation are not stable, but rather dynamic, constantly shifting, and subject to cycles of destruction and reconstruction.

This seminar begins with a presentation by Maria Hagan that draws on ethnographic research Hagan conducted in the border regions of northern France and Morocco between 2017 and 2022. It discusses the methodological approach Hagan used to study these ever-changing dwelling spaces, which are referred to as 'contingent camps.' Hagan employed a methodology grounded in embodied ethnography, involving a meticulous examination of camp materials, an exploration of the atmospheres within these spaces, and an analysis of the intangible practices of those living in contingent camps. The discussion will also encompass the challenges of observing and documenting living sites that lack fixed boundaries and clearly defined parameters for research.

Description

Maria Hagan (University of Amsterdam) gives a presentation, followed by a discussion with Jennifer Mack (KTH Royal Institute of Technology), and questions from participants. William Kutz will be moderating the seminar. The webinar is free of charge, but you have to register to attend:  

www.cors.lu.se/en/precarious-encampments

---

About the series

This is the seventh seminar of the series Dwelling, elsewhere: Comparative-methodological perspectives on borderland inhabitation, arranged and moderated by William Kutz and the Borderland Working Group, funded by CEMES. For more information about the Borderland Working Group or to join the mailing list, please write to William Kutz at william.kutz@cors.lu.se.