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Loyola University Chicago logo Loyola University Chicago Your Roman education adventure begins here. John Felice Rome Center

Migration, Mobilities, and Environments Conference to be held May 10-13, 2026

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The John Felice Rome Center is proud to host the inaugural edition of the biannual Migration, Mobilities, and Environments Conference (MIMEC), which will take place at Loyola University Chicago's Rome campus. 

The submission deadline is now closed. Notifications of acceptance, along with registration details, will be sent by 1 December 2025. Conference registration will close on 31 January 2026.

This interdisciplinary conference aims to explore the multifaceted intersections of migrations, mobilities and the environment on a global scale. We welcome contributions with diverse theoretical approaches analyzing how contemporary and historical forms of mobility affect individuals and groups across legal, political, psycho-social, economic, cultural, and environmental spheres.  

To examine the topic of international mobility holistically, we must consider the parallel (and often contradictory) processes which have recently emerged, that is: On the one hand, more individuals now have easier access to the so-called “global mobility infrastructure” (Spijkerboer 2018), allowing them to traverse borders more swiftly, securely, and at lower costs. And on the other hand, migration restrictions have intensified significantly, systematically denying increasing numbers of people access to essential facilities and services in their pursuit of mobility. As various forms of human mobility interact in multidimensional ways, we must move beyond compartmentalized understandings of migration and recognize the intersecting mobility experiences that shape people's lives in an interconnected world (Adams and Bloch 2023). The aim of the conference is to explore people in movement as dynamic subjects engaged in complex relationships with uneven and combined developments, as they traverse and transform, and are transformed by, multiple environments (Anievas & Matin 2016).  

We look forward to receiving contributions including, but not limited, to, the following topics:
  • migrations and the climate crisis, environmental issues, food cultures and agricultural systems
  • mobility and the economy: circular migration, global capitalism, international division of labor, ethnicization of the workforce
  • mobilities in historical contexts: colonialism and post-colonialism
  • the intersection of tourism and migration, social justice and eco-tourism, pilgrimages and the environment
  • social movements and activism
  • representations of movement and migration in art, literature, and film.
  • best practices in teaching migration and mobility studies, innovative pedagogical approaches, service-learning projects

MIMEC is committed to creating a welcome and inclusive environment for all participants. Unfortunately at this time, we are unable to offer the event in a virtual format.

 

REGISTRATION & FEES

Registration for the conference starts after the notification of acceptance on December 1, 2025 and closes on January 31, 2026.

The conference fees are:

  • $ 150.00 for full-time faculty positions and full-time employees.
  • $ 90.00 for temporary and/or part-time faculty positions, graduate students, and part-time employees.

The registration fees cover participation in the conference, coffee breaks, lunches, social dinner, and conference pack. Payments will be accepted via credit card. No refund is possible.

 

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation is not included in the conference fees.

Some nearby accommodation facilities are listed here:

 

CONFERENCE PROGRAM OUTLINE

10 May 2026

  • 16.30-18.30: Registration.
  • 18.30: Welcome Aperitivo (all attendees welcome).

11 May 2026

  • Registration.
  • Keynote speech.
  • Panels.
  • Social Dinner (optional, included in the conference fees).

12 May 2026

  • Registration.
  • Panels.
  • Final remarks.

13 May 2026

  • 10:00–13:00 (approximate; the exact time will be communicated):  “Decolonial Walk” led by Kwanza Musi Dos Santos (co-founder of Questa è Roma. Against All Discriminations). From Piazza della Repubblica to Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II. This walk (approx. 1.5h) critically analyzes how colonial and fascist-era urban planning intersect with contemporary multicultural settings. At the end of the walk, participants will be able to purchase food independently. The walk is free for participants; food and drinks are not included. Participants will receive an email to book a spot. Spots are limited.

 

CONTACT INFO

For any question please contact the conference coordinators:

MIMEC Organizing Committee: Elisa Ascione, Andrea Aureli, Tofigh Maboudi, Carla Mollica, Michael Schumacher