What does Belonging Mean?

Research Seminars by the Immigration Research Initiative (IRI) and the Institute for Research on Migration and Society (IRMS)

Our research seminars aim to bring together researchers and students from various backgrounds and disciplines to discuss their research project ideas. Participants can share ongoing projects, gather feedback, and brainstorm ideas in a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment.

Momoka is presenting her ongoing project funded by the SSHRC Insight Development Grant. The project investigates the sense of belonging among immigrants and the majority group in Québec. How do immigrants conceptualize and experience “belonging”? What are their expectations of one another? Do immigrants and the majority group have different understandings of “belonging”? What are the implications of this sense of belonging for immigrants’ mental health? Additionally, the project explores the role of cultural brokers or mediators—individuals from the majority group who assist immigrants in fostering a sense of belonging and integration. To address these research questions, the project employs a multi-phase mixed-methods design rooted in the cultural consensus theory framework. At the meeting, she seeks feedback on polishing the conceptualization of belonging and refining the selection of study samples.

Please confirm your attendance by emailing iri@concordia.ca