5th ISA Forum of Sociology (6-11 July 2025)

The African diaspora is a growing presence globally, often visibly different from the majority population and sometimes challenging national identities. African migrants often come from a diversity of backgrounds, bringing a range of skills, cultures, languages, experiences and perspectives, but are often homogenised. Many experience racist exclusion, of both the traditional ‘biological’ variety, 'new' cultural racism, and structural racism. Yet such communities also demonstrate resilience in the face of these exclusions, and engage in anti-racist activity and discourse in formal and informal settings.

This session considers the range of raced, gendered, classed, and intersectional experiences of those who have migrated from Africa to countries of the global North and the global South, and the ways in which these populations challenge their experiences of exclusion and marginalisation.

Papers are particularly welcomed that use innovative methods or theoretical approaches.

Papers are invited on:

• Settlement experiences as they relate to racism and anti-racism
• Identities and belonging
• Aspirations
• Constructions of community
• Differences in experiences based on visa category
• African/’mainstream’ relations
• African/Indigenous relations
• Religion as a unifier/divider
• Authoritarian structures of exclusion
• Mixed relationships/mixed race experiences
• Civic versus ethnic nationalism
• Undocumented migrants
• Transnational and diasporic relationships
• Community building