Migration & Diaspora Studies

05/05/2026

02/25/2026

Join us for a panel discussion hosted by Dr Laura Madokoro (Department of History, MDS Faculty Associate, Carleton University) with guests including Dr. Megan Bradley from the Department of Political Science and Institute for the Study of International Development at McGill University and Dr. Jennif...

10/29/2025

UPDATE - new date for UNHCR event at MDS

10/28/2025

Thinking about applying? Join our online info session to learn more!

10/27/2025

Coming up at MDS!! All are welcome to join us noon-1:30.

07/03/2025

Congratulations to the MDS Class of 2025!

The MDS program is proud to congratulate students who graduated with an MA or Graduate Diploma in Migration and Diaspora Studies on 17 June 2025. Joined by friends and family, the ceremony was a joyous celebration of such wonderful achievements!

12 students graduated with an MA in Migration and Diaspora Studies, including two students who successfully completed the Collaborative Specialization in Latin American and Caribbean Studies. The graduating MA cohort included students who had completed MA theses, co-op placements with the Canadian government, practicum placements with community organizations in Ottawa, and exchange placements with universities outside Canada.

Several members of the graduating MA cohort are starting PhD programs in September. Others are working with community organizations supporting refugees, immigrants and other newcomers in Ottawa and elsewhere. Others still are launching their career with the Canadian government, in Ottawa or overseas.

Six students graduated with a Graduate Diploma in Migration and Diaspora Studies, either in combination with another graduate degree or as a stand-alone diploma. Many who graduated with the Graduate Diploma were returning to graduate studies after several years in their professional careers, often overseas. The Graduate Diploma served as a successful transition back to graduate studies – so successful that four graduates from the Graduate Diploma are continuing to the MA program in September!

The Migration and Diaspora Studies program at Carleton University is unique in Canada, offering a truly interdisciplinary environment to study the social, cultural, political and economic implications of the movement of people and transnationalism more generally. The topics explored by graduating students in their coursework, major research essay or thesis reflect the wonderful diversity of the field, while the experience gained through co-op and practicum placements laid strong foundations for the future engagement of the class of 2025 in these complex issues well into the future.

We can’t wait to see what they do next!

04/11/2025

The Migration and Diaspora Studies (MDS) Student Society has announced the 2025 Routes and Roots Conference Itinerary and Speakers List: https://carleton.ca/mds/2025/04/11/mds-student-society-2025-conference-itinerary-speakers-list/

The Student Society’s first conference will take place on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 in Dunton Tower room 2017. Tickets are still available! Visit the MDS website for more information.

The Migration and Diaspora Studies (MDS) Student Society has announced the 2025 Routes and Roots Conference Itinerary and Speakers List. The Student Society’s first conference will take place on Wednesday, April 16, 2025 in Dunton Tower room 2017. Tickets are still available!

03/17/2025

The Migration and Diaspora Studies Student Society is organizing a conference to give those studying topics in migration and diaspora an opportunity to showcase their research and knowledge.

We introduce our first conference:
Routes and Roots: Navigating Migration and Identity

If you are interested please submit an abstract by March 30th at 11:59 pm. Scan the QR code to access the registration form.

The conference will be held on Wednesday April 16th 2025, at Dunton Tower room 2017.

The MDS Student Society looks forward to your submissions!

02/26/2025

The Migration and Diaspora Studies Community welcomed Dr. Wisdom Tettey, Carleton University President and newest MDS Faculty Associate, to share his research on race, citizenship and diasporas and to hear about the diverse and compelling research of MDS faculty and students!

https://carleton.ca/mds/people/president-wisdom-tettey/

02/03/2025

Join LERRN (Local Engagement Refugee Research Network) for this free webinar to learn from their research teams on their findings of the 18-month comparative study on the politics and process of refugee leadership in the global South, with a specific focus on South America and East Africa. The research study is generously supported by the Gerda Henkel Foundation and facilitated by LERRN, Carleton University. Through a partnered research approach, the project has asked:
* What is refugee leadership and how is it understood within displaced communities?
* What are the forms in which refugee leadership is expressed?
* What variation exists in expressions of refugee leadership within and between regions?
* What factors explain this variation, including factors relating to intersectional perspectives of power and identity?
To learn more about the project visit:

https://carleton.ca/lerrn/refugee-leadership-in-south-america-and-east-africa/

The talk will be moderated by Migration and Diaspora Studies Program Director and LERRN Project Director James Milner.

Please note: this event will be presented in English and Spanish with simultaneous interpretation

Registration required- use the QR code!