LSSI Placement Fellowship 2014-15
Understanding the lives of Nigerian migrants living in Yorkshire: Then and now
Remi Joseph-Salisbury - PhD candidate, School of Sociology & Social Policy
Outline of the project (including aims and objectives)
The aims of this project were two fold. Primarily, the project sought to explore the experiences of Nigerian migrants living in Yorkshire. These experiences were considered and compared in two groups; those who were part of the early wave of Nigerian migration, and those who moved migrated more recently. Secondarily, through conversations with the Nigerian community in Leeds, the project also sought to illicit further information about the live of David Oluwale.
Context
The David Oluwale Memorial Association (DOMA) starts with the story of David Oluwale’s origins in Nigeria and his life and death in Leeds (1949-1969), including his early life in Nigeria and his experience in the UK of exclusion and police persecution.It is in this context that the current research was carried out.
In a climate of growing hostility towards economic migrants and the other, this project sought to disrupt dominant narratives and popular discourse that present migrants as a problem. There has been a long history of sociological research onracially minoritized groups, and too often this has pathologized individuals, communities and cultures. The current research emerges in the context of a proliferation of Critical Race research that disrupts ideological pathologies, presents counter-narratives, and conducts research withracially minoritized groups. Thus the project shines new light on the experiences of Nigerian migrants living in Leeds.
Methodology
The researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with Nigerian migrants living in Yorkshire. Participants were asked questions about their experiences as migrants, and where applicable, were asked about their experiences with, and knowledge of, David Oluwale. The data was split into two groups representing different waves of Nigerian migration to the UK. The interviews were analysed using NVivo.
Summary of the findings
Analysis of findings remains ongoing as the researcher and the charity work towards the wide dissemination of findings. At this stage it suffices to say that the current research does disrupt popular discourse and pathology surrounding migrants, and simultaneously builds upon what was already known about David Oluwale, particularly casting further light onto his early life in Leeds.
Challenges faced
Due to the excellent support provided by DOMA, very few challenges were faced in the research. The negotiation of access to participants presented a few challenges but these were largely negotiated by the charity.