Episode summary:

Ethical methods. How can we do migration research ethically between borders in the context of social injustice? Rachel Benchekroun asks Amandas Ong, Sabina Barone, Franca Roeschert and Hend Aly about their research.

Presenter:

• Dr Rachel Benchekroun, Senior Research Fellow, UCL Social Research Institute (Thomas Coram Research Unit)

Guests:

• Dr Sabina Barone, UCL Social Research Institute (Thomas Coram Research Unit)
• Amandas Ong, PhD candidate, UCL Anthropology and journalist
• Franca Roeschert, PhD candidate, University of Greenwich
• Hend Aly, PhD student, UCL Social Research Institute (Thomas Coram Research Unit)

Further reading:

Barone, S. and Swain, J. (2025). ‘Using Informal Conversations in Qualitative Social Research With People in Situations of Marginalization and Vulnerability’, Sage Research Methods: Data and Research Literacy. Available at: https://methods-sagepub-com.libproxy.ucl.ac.uk/case/using-informal-conversations-social-research-people-avulnerability

Berg, M.L. and Nowicka, M. (2019). Studying Diversity, Migration and Urban Multiculture: Convivial Tools for Research and Practice. London: UCL Press.

Vacchelli, E., & Roeschert, F. (2024). Participation and contested forms of citizenship in the City of Sanctuary. Citizenship Studies, 28(4–5), 424–443. https://doi.org/10.1080/13621025.2024.2407766

Warnock, R, Taylor, F, and Horton, A. (2022). ‘Should we pay research participants? Feminist political economy for ethical practices in precarious times.’ Ethics In / Of Geographical Research, 54 (2): 195-202, doi: 10.1111/area.12790.

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Reproductive Justice. What does 'reproductive justice' mean in the context of precarious migration? What strategies and possibilities are there for reproductive justice in the UK? Rachel Benchekroun asks Júlia Fernandez Molina, Pip McKnight and Mariam Malik about their research and practice.

Presenter:

• Dr Rachel Benchekroun, Senior Research Fellow, UCL Social Research Institute (Thomas Coram Research Unit)

Guests:

• Dr Julia Fernandez Molina, University of Edinburgh (and former volunteer doula)
• Pip McKnight, Research Fellow and PhD student, University of Birmingham (and former specialist midwife for people seeking asylum)
• Mariam Malik, PhD student, University of Southampton and speech and language therapist.

Producer:
Matt Aucott

Further reading

Bryan, B., Dadzie, S. And Scafe, S. (1985). Heart of the Race. Black Women's Lives in Britain. Verso, London, UK.

Felker, A., Patel, R., Kotnis, R., Kenyon, S., Knight, M. (Eds.) on behalf of MBRRACE-UK. Saving Lives, Improving Mothers’ Care Compiled Report - Lessons learned to inform maternity care from the UK and Ireland Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths and Morbidity 2020-22. Oxford: National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford 2024. MBRRACE-UK Maternal MAIN Report 2024 V2.0 ONLINE.pdf

Lonergan, G. (2012). ‘Reproductive justice and migrant women in Great Britain’. Women: a Cultural Review, 23(1): 26-45.

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Friendly Spaces. How do spaces and places shape friendly relationships and access to support? Rachel Benchekroun, Jessie Sullivan and Franca Roeschert discuss their research.

Date of episode recording: 2025-06-25
Duration: 00:31:23
Language of episode: English

Presenter: Dr Rachel Benchekroun, Senior Research Fellow, UCL Social Research Institute (Thomas Coram Research Unit)

Guests:
Jessie Sullivan, PhD candidate, UCL IOE EPS.
Franca Roeschert, PhD candidate, University of Greenwich

Producer: Matt Aucott

Further reading

Benchekroun, R. (2025). Precarious Motherhood. Navigating relationships and support post-migration in the UK. UCL Press. https://uclpress.co.uk/book/precarious-motherhood/

Klinenberg, E. (2018). Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life. First Edition. New York: Crown.

Simone, A.M. (2004). People as Infrastructure: Intersecting Fragments in Johannesburg. Public Culture, 16(3): 407-429. Https://muse.jhu.edu/article/173743

Vacchelli, E., & Roeschert, F. (2024). Participation and contested forms of citizenship in the City of Sanctuary. Citizenship Studies, 28(4–5), 424–443. https://doi.org/10.1080/13621025.2024.2407766

Please take two minutes to share your feedback with us! https://forms.office.com/e/BaCNBrT5DX