Reimagining refugee identity systems: a sociological approach

Madon, Shirin and Schoemaker, Emrys (2019) Reimagining refugee identity systems: a sociological approach. In: Nielsen, Petter and Kimaro, Honest Christopher, (eds.) Information and Communication Technologies for Development. Strengthening Southern-Driven Cooperation as a Catalyst for ICT4D - 15th IFIP WG 9.4 International Conference on Social Implications of Computers in Developing Countries, ICT4D 2019, Proceedings. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology,551. Springer New York LLC, Cham, Switzerland, pp. 660-674. ISBN 9783030183998

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Abstract

This paper explores how the social identity of refugees shapes and is shaped through the process of registering with humanitarian organisations. Building on the recent advance of critical studies on digital identity systems for refugee management, we show how the lens of social identity is helpful in understanding the relationship between refugee information systems and refugee experiences of registration and accessing services. Identity is a key issue related to contemporary information systems yet remains an under-theorised area of investigation from a sociological perspective in the field of information systems, international development and refugee studies. Using qualitative data from refugees in Bidi Bidi refugee camp in Northern Uganda, this paper showcases the centrality of refugees’ social identity in determining the journey of vulnerable individuals focusing on three key dimensions. First, how the identities of refugees based on home and family in South Sudan were carried over to refugees’ new location in Uganda and were later transformed through the process of registration. Second, how work and career profile of their lives in South Sudan shaped the identity of refugees, and how the absence of education credentials limited the realisation of personal aspirations. Third, how interactions between institutions and refugees are both shaped by and shape refugee identity. Our findings point to important policy implications for designing and implementing refugee identity systems.

Item Type:	Book Section
Additional Information:	© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland
Divisions:	International Development Media and Communications
Subjects:	J Political Science > JV Colonies and colonization. Emigration and immigration. International migration
Date Deposited:	23 May 2019 15:54
Last Modified:	18 Mar 2024 00:01
URI:	http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/id/eprint/100875

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