Dr Chand Somaiah

Biography

Migration Nation

This IEx introduces undergraduates to migration issues in Singapore in an era globalisation. The acceleration of migration in modern times has left nations grappling with issues of social justice, social inclusion, social integration and more – addressing these via national migration policies. Students will be introduced to types of citizenship and its denials, the socio-political construction of migrants, and existing migration infrastructures. Contemporary migration in Singapore will be used as a mirror to understand not just migrant issues, but constructions of nationhood, political obligations to citizens, and competing community interests. This IEx hopes to:

1. Deepen knowledge around key migration themes;

2. Encourage students to become aware of the complex and multi-faceted demands on various organizations to manage issues to do with migration;

3. Examine existing controversial issues in the arena of migration in Singapore.

Potential topics may cover a range of phenomenon within migration in Singapore including: diaspora communities, types of gendered (im)migration and carework (‘un’/skilled); circular and stepwise migration; study mothers; astronaut families, parachute children, and kirogi families; care drains; nurse migration; various types of migration pathways and distress migration. Via project work you may explore how the intersections of how gendered migration regimes impact individual and collective migration, carework, home-making, place-making and community-building experiences.

Questions? You can find me at chand@nus.edu.sg