University of Sussex
Browse

Between disruptions and connections: “new” EU migrants in the UK before and after the Brexit

Download (423.73 kB)
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 15:25 authored by Aija Lulle, Russell King, Veronika Dvorakova, Aleksandra Szkudlarek
This paper examines the pre- and post-Brexit experiences and perspectives of migrants from three “new” EU countries – Latvia, Poland and Slovakia – who are living and working or studying in the London area. Deploying the key-concepts of power-geometry and relational space, the analysis explores the way that Brexit impacted the migrants’ connections to the UK “bounded space” and their ongoing mobility behaviour and plans. Empirical evidence comes from 35 in-depth interviews with migrants, most of whom were interviewed both before and after the referendum of 23 June 2016. We find that migrants are unequally positioned socio-spatially to deal with the new power-geometries resulting from Brexit, and we detect diverging trajectories between the more highly-skilled and high-achieving EU citizens and the more disadvantaged low-skilled labour migrants. First, we probe the uncertainties brought about by juridical status, related to the length of stay in Britain. Second, we explore personal and professional connections and disruptions. Third, we question how the power-geometries of time, juridical status and personal/professional connections/disruptions shape future mobility plans.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Population, Space and Place

ISSN

1544-8444

Publisher

Wiley

Issue

1

Volume

25

Page range

1-10

Article number

e2200

Department affiliated with

  • Geography Publications

Research groups affiliated with

  • Sussex Centre for Migration Research Publications
  • Centre for Innovation and Research in Childhood and Youth Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2018-10-16

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2020-09-27

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2018-10-15

Usage metrics

    University of Sussex (Publications)

    Categories

    No categories selected

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC