Mediterranean thinking in migration studies: A methodological regionalism approach

Abstract

The core reflection of this article is to explore the potentialities of using the Mediterranean as a category of analysis for migration studies, what epistemological and ontological effects this may have and how this could be done from a critical thinking perspective. To better capture this focus, I will speak about Mediterranean thinking (Med-Thinking). 1.

New scales of migration governance in the Mediterranean: Regional cities in the spotlight

“…This axiology is substantial to conceptually delimit the notion of ‘regional cities’. This shows, moreover, following the Med-thinking approach (Zapata-Barrero, 2022), that the debate on the Mediterranean cities cannot be separated from the general discussion on Mediterranean peculiarities (Minca, 2004). This is a conceptualization of Mediterranean universalism that needs to be assessed (Salvati, 2014).…”

Introduction: Mediterranean Migration Studies – A Research Agenda for the Coming Years

“…The basic purpose is to provide a basis for future research synergies by showcasing a plurality of perspectives to and applications of Mediterranean Migrations. This provides a direct opportunity and a reflective invitation to think the Mediterranean as a category of analysis for migration studies, which involves both a regional approach to migration and as "scale thinking" of geo-political governance (Zapata-Barrero, 2022). This broad geographical scope, coupled with cross-cutting and inter-disciplinary contributions, as well as the key-fact that this volume seeks to integrate regional, national, and North-Eastern-South complementarities are the distinctive features of its focus.…”