Harnessing Opportunities: Migrant Students As Catalysts for Educational Improvement

Monday, 7 July 2025: 09:00-10:45
Location: SJES028 (Faculty of Legal, Economic, and Social Sciences (JES))
RC04 Sociology of Education (host committee)

Language: English

The sociology of education has traditionally viewed migrant education as a niche concern of societies with long-standing migration histories. However, nations that once boasted ethnically and racially homogeneous populations are now witnessing unprecedented levels of diversity due to increasing migratory movements. Consequently, educational systems worldwide must adapt to meet the needs of rapidly diversifying student populations.

Thus, we invite theoretical and empirical contributions, qualitative or quantitative that delve into the following areas:

  • Student Adjustment and Success: Investigations into the strategies and practices that foster successful educational and integration outcomes for migrant students of all class origins, genders and ages, including adult education.
  • Teacher Experiences and Adaptations: Studies examining how teachers perceive and respond to the challenges posed by diverse classrooms, including teachers' socio-economic background and how it interacts with professional development needs and pedagogical adjustments.
  • Social Milieu and Community Impact: Research on the broader social contexts influencing educational experiences, such as community attitudes, support systems, and policy frameworks.
  • Challenges and Opportunities: Analyses of the barriers and potential benefits arising from increased diversity in educational settings, focusing on innovative solutions and best practices.

We encourage submissions that offer new insights into how education systems can evolve to effectively and equitably support migrant students, regardless of age. Through this session, we aim to foster a comprehensive understanding of the intersection between migration and education, providing a platform for disseminating cutting-edge research and developing actionable strategies for educators and policymakers.

Session Organizers:
Joanna SIKORA, Australian National University, Australia and Petya ILIEVA-TRICHKOVA, IPS, BAS, Bulgaria
Oral Presentations
Exploring Inequalities in Cross-Border Education: A Case Study of Cross-Border Schooling and Housing Decisions between Shenzhen and Hong Kong
Ziyuan LI, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Shenjing HE, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Being a Refugee Student Mother at University
Hakan ERGIN, Bogazici University, Turkey; Saliha YAZAR, Bogazici University, Turkey
Addressing the Educational Challenge of Unaccompanied Foreign Minors: Sociological Reasons to Deal with It
Mariagrazia SANTAGATI, Università Cattolica Del Sacro Cuore, Italy; Alessandra BARZAGHI, Italy; Chiara FERRARI, Catholic University Milan, Italy; Marta VISIOLI, Department of Sociology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Italy