Prof. Dr. Rubén Rodríguez Puertas and Prof. Dr. Alexandra Ainz Galende, both from the University of Almeria’s Department of Geography, History, and Humanities, visited International Burch University during the week of April 25 through Erasmus+ to facilitate transfer of methodological knowhow in migration research and explore possibilities for further collaboration.
The visit was realized through the European Union’s Erasmus+ programme, a mobility scheme that supports higher education institutions in the EU and abroad in exchanging staff and students for learning and teaching purposes. International Burch University has such agreements with over 30 EU universities and annually sends and received hundreds of staff and students.
Prof. Dr. Galende, who works on the EU-funded MUSTIC project on youth and religious radicalization, presented her research and the project. She also spoke at length about religion and religiosity, as a key theme both of her research and the project. She also conducted a survey among students.
Prof. Dr. Puertas presented their Center for the Study of Migrations and Intercultural Relations at the University of Almeira and his research on a typology of young migrants - the nostalgic, coverts, and cosmopolitans. He also conducted an exercise with students to test their skills in identifying the three types of migrants.
Prior to the presentation, the two guests met with Prof. Dr. Alija Kožljak, the head of the Department of International Relations and European Studies, to discuss areas for further collaboration, including in the field of organizing student and staff mobilities. They agreed that such further cooperation would be mutually beneficial and should be further explored.
Following the presentation, Prof. Galende and Prof. Puertas visited the Social Sciences Research Center at International Burch University to discuss possibilities of intensifying collaboration, including specifically in implementing the identified typologies in studies conducted at SSRC on diaspora but also working together to jointly develop a project proposal on Border Management under Horizon Europe.
Keywords: University of Almeira, Department of International Relations and European Studies, Social Sciences Research Center, Erasmus+