Publication alert! Our new mini-article is now out in Discover Society, an online platform publishing academically informed short pieces for a general audience. In the article, we explore how the combined (institutional, political, social) hostilities of Brexit and the pandemic have impacted Polish essential workers in the UK. We argue that Covid-19 has reinforced pre-existing challenges that Brexit had created for Polish migrants. The article is part of an excellent special issue on anti-immigration policies and discourses guest edited by Prof. Louise Ryan. By linking the Windrush scandal, Brexit, asylum regulations, and recently proposed ‘off-shoring’, the issue offers a critique of how UK immigration policies are affecting migrant communities and wider UK society. The full article can be found HERE.

Our new University of Glasgow Spotlight Podcast is live! Our own Prof. Sharon Wright and Dr Anna Gawlewicz talk to Prof. Kezia Dugdale about how EU migrant essential workers contributed to British society and the economy during the Covid-19 pandemic. Our study showed how migrants faced challenges at work and at home, while separated from family and support networks. We talk about how we commissioned three visual artists to respond to the research findings and reflect on the process of working with them to create a powerful ground-breaking exhibition. Listen to our discussion from minute 26:55 below.

Our traveling exhibition is available online! Inspired by our research, it toured Birmingham, London, and Edinburgh in 2022. The exhibition is a result of an exciting collaboration with Centrala, an internationally renowned centre for Central and Eastern European art and artists, and features the work of 3 critically acclaimed visual artists Małgorzata Dawidek, Sylwia Kowalczyk and Paulina Korobkiewicz. Enjoy the artwork and let us know what you think HERE.

Hot off the press! Our report on Covid-19 innovation in supporting Scotland’s migrant and minority ethnic communities is now out. The report is based on our spin-off project – an expert review funded by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Learning and Evaluation Oversight Group set up by the Scottish Government. The study found that third-sector organisations in Scotland led the way in communication and outreach to migrant and minority ethnic populations during the pandemic, with numerous examples of innovation and best practice to build on in improving public service provision. The full report can be found HERE.

Our traveling exhibition is coming to Scotland! Come join us at the launch on 27 October 2022 at Art27 in Edinburgh. See the artwork and speak to the artists, the curator (Centrala), and the researchers! 6-8pm, 40-42 West Crosscauseway, Newington, EH8 9JP. More information here. The exhibition will be open to the public between 24 October and 8 November 2022. Do pop in if you can!

Save the date! Our event on public and third-sector service provision for Scotland’s migrant and minority ethnic communities during Covid-19 is taking place 10am-1pm on 25 October 2022 at the COSLA Conference Centre in Edinburgh. The aim of the event is to discuss findings and policy implications from our expert review carried out for the Scottish Government Coronavirus (COVID-19): Learning and Evaluation Oversight Group. The event is free, but registration is required due to the limited number of places. For more details and to register, please check out our Eventbrite page HERE. We hope to see you there!

Our traveling exhibition is coming to London! Come join us at the launch on 30 September 2022 at the Clapham Library. See the artwork and speak to the artists, the curator (Centrala), and the researchers! 6-8pm, Mary Seacole Centre, 91 Clapham High Street, SW4 7DB. More information here. The exhibition will be available until 14 Oct 2022 during the Library’s regular opening times. Do pop in!

Learn about our research! Our second dissemination event is taking place 4-5:30pm on 30 September 2022 at the Clapham Library in London. The aim of the event is to share our key findings and policy recommendations. The event is free, but registration is required due to the limited number of places. For more details and to register, please check out our Eventbrite page HERE. We hope to see you there!

Save the date! Spaces of (dis)connection: Migrant essential workers, a traveling exhibition inspired by our study is coming to Birmingham, London, and Scotland! The exhibition is a result of an exciting collaboration with Centrala, an internationally renowned centre for Central and Eastern European art and artists. It features the work of 3 well-established visual artists of Polish origin: Małgorzata Dawidek, Sylwia Kowalczyk and Paulina Korobkiewicz.

The artists will each present original artwork inspired by the stories of our research participants: Polish essential workers in the UK. The exhibition will kick off with an official launch in Birmingham and London (all welcome, do come along!) and will remain publicly available in each city. It will then travel to Scotland. Once it completes its journey, it will be digitised and moved online for all interested viewers.

Exhibition dates, launches, and locations:       

• Birmingham: 3-24 Sept, Centrala, available during regular opening times
  • Exhibition launch: 2 Sept, 6-8pm. Address: Unit 4, Minerva Works, 158 Fazeley Street, B5 5RT. More information here.
• London: 1-14 Oct, Clapham Library, available during regular opening times
  • Exhibition launch: 30 Sept, 6-8pm. Address: Mary Seacole Centre, 91 Clapham High Street, SW4 7DB. More information here.
• Edinburgh: 24 Oct – 8 Nov, Art27, available during regular opening times
  • Exhibition launch: 27 Oct, 6-8pm. Address: 40-42 West Crosscauseway, Newington, EH8 9JP.

Hot off the press! We are thrilled to share two sets of policy recommendations targeting the UK and Scottish governments and respective health authorities. We wish to thank Prof. Robert Gawłowski, our project partners, and other public and voluntary sector organisations for helping out in their development. We are officially launching the UK recommendations at our first dissemination event on 17 May 2022, and the Scottish ones at a briefing session at the Scottish Parliament on 19 May 2022. Please, share them widely!

1. Policy recommendations – UK
2. Policy recommendations – Scotland