Visualising the Invisible: Using visual ethnography to explore extra-institutional activism of migrants and ethnic minorities

When ethnic minorities or migrants are approached by the media or academia, individuals are usually contacted through institutions. Polish parishes and NGOs are typical entry points for the study of Polish migrants; synagogues and Jewish community centres provide for Jewish research subjects; Hungarian cultural centres for the Hungarian diaspora, etc. The image of minority/migrant activism that emerges from such approaches is that of a self-centred one, focused first and foremost on the own community. Such an image does little to break the stereotype of migrants and ethnic minorities as a burden to the society, perpetuated by contemporary populisms across Europe.

This project focuses on civic initiatives which are run by members of migrant/minority communities but are not associated with key minority/migrant institutions and therefore remain invisible for media and academic research. Through a production of a 25-minute film the project will explore the overlooked contribution of this minority/migrant activism and highlight its value to the general public.

The project is financed by British Academy/Leverhulme Small Research Grant.