DiaMiGo II - Abstract

DiaMiGo II builds upon the foundations of DiaMiGo I, an exchange project that examined contemporary transformations and debates surrounding migration between Europe and the North African Mediterranean region. This follow-up project adopts a decolonial perspective to critically explore and compare divergent understandings of “integration”, inclusion, and exclusion. At the heart of our Summer Research Academy is a critical reading of the concept of “integration” as well as a focus on (forced) migrants’ agency and resistance. 

Our analysis focuses on Germany and Egypt—two countries with markedly different migration histories, discourses, and policies. In the Global North, particularly in Germany, the “integration” of migrants and refugees remains a central and contested issue in both academic and policy debates. By contrast, in the Global South, including Egypt, policy discussions on migration take different forms, as most governments have not traditionally considered their countries as destinations for long-term settlement.

Despite the lack of formal “integration” policies in many Global South countries, migrants and refugees frequently develop their own strategies to navigate processes of de facto self-integration. These informal models, often grounded in “community social capital”, remain largely unrecognized in national and international policy discussions. In Egypt, for instance, migrant and refugee communities have established Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and community schools that serve as both social hubs and service providers—though they often face significant governmental restrictions.

The DiaMiGo Research Academy is a collaboration between the University of Cologne and the American University of Cairo. It consists of two parts:

1. the upcoming Summer Research Academy in Cologne (31 May - 04 June 2025)
2. and a Spring Research Academy to be held in Cairo in early 2026. 

For more information on the programme and activities of DiaMiGo I, please visit the website: https://diamigo.net

Please also check out the blog at the end of the website participants of DiaMiGo I share their insights: https://diamigo.net/blog/

DiaMiGo II - Activities and Requirements of Participation

• DiaMiGo II activities will take place during the Summer Semester 2025 and Winter Semester 2025/26. Your participation will grant you 6 Credit Points for each semester. 
• Activities during the Summer Semester 2025 include: the DiaMiGo II - Summer Research Academy at the University of Cologne (31 May - 04 June 2025) and an accompanying seminar offered by Prof. Sabine Damir-Geilsdorf and Prof. Michaela Pelican (please apply for the seminar on Klips, DiaMiGo Part II, Nr.14506.3008). Attendance in the seminar and summer research academy is mandatory. 
• Part of the summer school are creative outputs (e.g. blog posts), preferably developed in tandem by students from the University of Cologne and the American University in Cairo.
• Activities during Winter Semester 2025/26 include: the DiaMiGo II - Spring Research Academy in Cairo (fully funded) and an accompanying seminar at the University of Cologne (attendance mandatory). 
• For the examination requirements, you will need to produce a report related to DiaMiGO activities.
• Participation in the activities of the Summer Semester 2025 is required to join the Spring Research Academy in Cairo

DiaMiGo II - Who is eligible to participate?

• Bachelor's and Master’s students at the Institute of Languages and Cultures of the Islamicate World and/or the Department of Social and Cultural Anthropology at the University of Cologne
• Strong interest in and familiarity with the topic of migration
• Very good English language skills

DiaMiGo II - Needed documents for your application

• Your C.V.
• Motivation letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining: a) Your interest in the topic of DiaMiGo II; b) Your expectations from intercultural exchange. 
• Transcript of Records