Migrants and Human Security: Contemporary Theories, Abiding Questions

<strong>Centre for the Study of Social Systems School of Social Sciences</strong> CSSS Colloquium <strong>Bandana Purkayastha</strong> (Professor of Sociology and Asian American Studies, University of Connecticut,) a paper on <strong>Migrants and Human Security: Contemporary Theories, Abiding Questions</strong> Date &amp; Time:<strong> November 10th, 2016</strong> <strong>Abstract: </strong>This talk will briefly outline some of the contemporary sociological discussions about migrants and human security. Drawing upon the literature on migrants who move across internal and international socio-political boundaries, as well as the human rights literature that looks at questions of human security, the speaker will outline some of the continuing methodological challenges of studying migrants. <strong>Bio: </strong>Bandana Purkayastha is Professor of Sociology &amp; Asian American Studies at the University of Connecticut (UCONN). She has served as the President, Sociologists for Women in Society (2013-2014), andis the American Sociological Association's representative to the International Sociological Association (2014-2018.). Her research interests focus on intersectionality, human rights, migration, violence &amp; peace. She has published over fifty peer- reviewed articles, books, and chapters. Examples of her most recent articles and books include: Human Trafficking Amidst Interlocking Oppressions: A focus on Pakistan (2015); Voices of Internally Displaced Persons in Kenya: A Human Rights Perspective (2015); The Human Rights Enterprise: The State, Resistance, and Human Rights. (2015); Human Rights in Our Own Backyard: Injustice and Resistance in the US, which was awarded ASA-Human Rights section's Gordon Hirabayashi book award for 2013; "Intersectionality in a Transnational World" (Gender &amp; Society); Sexual Violence, Race, Media (In) visibility: Intersectional Complexities in a Transnational Frame. Societies; On the Edges of Belonging: Indian American Dalits, Queers, Guest Workers and Questions of Ethnic Belonging. Journal of Intercultural Studies; andLinking Research, Policy and Action: A look at the work of the special rapporteur on violence against women. Current Sociology; and Living Our Religions: Hindu and Muslim South Asian-American Women Narrate Their Experiences. She is currently working on three projects: a book on trafficking, a special issue of Current Sociology on Migrants and Human Security, and a comparative project on water, inequalities and rights. Professor Purkayastha has been recognized for her teaching, mentoring, research, and leadership through several university, state, and professional awards. She was awarded Asia and Asian American section's Contribution to the Field (career) award in 2016. She has served on several international expert committees including, this year, on World Health Organization's initiative on female migrants. She has served on several Editorial boards and editorial positions, including Gender &amp; Society.