In the face of a raging wave of immigration to the UK, this study delves into the reasons behind the UK's emergence as a global migration hotspot, where we witness not only the transnational movement of bodies, but also the dramatic transformation of a nation's soul. By adopting a qualitative approach that prioritises the lived experiences and narratives of migrants themselves, insights were gained into the interplay between the factors that drive migration to the UK. The immigrant experience is not just a statistic, but a crucible of transformation that has challenged and reshaped the socio-cultural landscape of the UK. The study examines how economic opportunity, political stability and the legacy of the British Empire and its historical links to many countries enhance the attractiveness of the UK as an immigration destination. Against the backdrop of Brexit, austerity and a nationalist renaissance, migrants' journeys reveal the fault lines of a society's search for its identity, offering a narrative that interweaves the personal with the political, the local with the global. This exploration reveals Britain's role in global migration narratives as a mirror of the complexities of integration, belonging and change, provoking a re-examination of notions of identity in the crucible of contemporary British migration.

Authors:
Yuyan Li, University of London, United Kingdom

About the Presenter(s)
Ms Yuyan Li is a University Postgraduate Student at Goldsmiths, University of London in United Kingdom

See this presentation on the full schedule – Saturday Schedule

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