Migration and Civic Engagement: Analyzing Genesis and Development of Civic Engagement in Narratives of young Russian Immigrants

• Applicant: Dr. Oxana Ivanova-Chessex
• Subject Area: General and Domain-Specific Teaching and Learning
• Term: from 2013 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 236573241

The civic engagement of immigrants is often researched in the institutionalized contexts as an engagement in associations, non-governmental organizations, social and church related institutions. Most studies describe features of civic engagement without taking into consideration biography and migration. The aim of the present research project is to analyze the genesis and transformation of different practices of civic engagement exploring the narratives of immigrants from Russia in Germany. The study refers to both the institutionalized and non-institutionalized practices of civic engagement (c.f. (sub-)cultural and civic projects, civic engagement in internet, initiative groups conducting flash mobs). For this purpose narrative interviews with active immigrants will be conducted and analyzed. The family histories and biographies of immigrants from Russia whose families moved to Germany after 1950s are focused on.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants