Soziologie
Aamir Ali, RTG 2951 doctoral researcher, shares his personal experience and reflections from participating in the 5th ISA Forum:
“Two days after wrapping up fieldwork in India, where I conducted ethnographic observation and interviews with migrant laborers heading to the Persian Gulf, I found myself on a flight to Rabat, Morocco. I was headed to the 5th ISA Forum of Sociology, presenting my paper titled “Navigating Precarity: Indian Migrant Workers in Gulf Labour Markets” as part of the Special Panel for Early Career Researchers. It was my first time in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and my first-ever international conference - so naturally, I felt a mix of exhilaration and nerves.
On the morning of July 7, I took the stage in Rabat. Though I had felt anxious, especially after meeting esteemed scholars from around the world during the July 6 opening ceremony, those anxieties rapidly gave way to confidence. Feedback from the panel discussant, Dr. Sanjeev Routray and senior academics including Professor Gracia Liu Farrer and Professor Heidi Gottfried was both affirming and constructive. I am appreciative of the panel’s commendations on both the conceptual framing and the depth of ethnographic engagement, while their thoughtful critiques will be helpful in sharpening the project's analytical focus.
Reflecting on their insights, I recognized that even though my fieldwork took place in Mumbai, the perspectives I gathered—largely from migrants hailing from India’s under‑developed, conflict‑affected regions—could be reframed through deeper grounding with the conceptual framework to better capture the complexities of the cross-border labor markets. Before this conference, I had not yet shared those fresh field insights with colleagues in the RTG “Cross Border Labour Markets. Thanks to the mentorship of Prof. Karen Shire and training for the conference provided by RTG, I had an opportunity to further refine my presentation, enhancing both analytical rigor and narrative coherence.
Beyond the conference room, I came to appreciate the power of ISA as a hub for global sociological networks. Engaging with researchers from India, the USA, Asia‑Pacific, Europe, Argentina, Peru, the UAE, and beyond opened my eyes to diverse methodological approaches and research environments.
Looking back, the days flew by, packed with sessions, hallway conversations, and networking that yielded valuable feedback, fresh ideas, and meaningful connections. I left Rabat inspired, energized, and more confident, ready to carry the dialogue forward as I continue my PhD. Further, I remain deeply appreciative of the generous support and academic guidance provided by the RTG ”Cross‑Border Labour Markets” throughout this journey.”
Related links: