Call for Expressions of Interest – The StOries Project 2.0: Migration and Who We Are in the World Today

Outline

The StOries of the World is an alternative writing and training project hosted by the Global Migration Institute. At the intersection of academic and creative genres, it is grounded in reflexive, participatory, and arts-based approaches, as well as autoethnographic methods. Throughout this initiative, participants will use creative and literary writing, as well as other forms of creative practice such as photography, and multimedia storytelling, to generate new insights about human mobility across borders. 

The migration experience is an important part of human history and human development. Especially during our current times of global disruption, conflict, displacement and increased inequality, we need to go beyond established conceptual and policy frameworks, and explore creative ways to understand complex experiences of mobility, helping produce new knowledge in this field. 

If you have an interest in understanding `experiential’ aspects of migration and issues these raise - be they personal or political, transnational, diasporic or intergenerational, this project may be for you. It provides a guided space for reading, writing, and discussions; as well as explorations of creative genres for telling your stories. Following on the footsteps of the StOries Project: Strangers to Ourselves which used literary writing to examine the lived experience of Canadians’ migration histories, and contested notions of diversity, race and identity in Canada today, this project aims to produce new StOries of migration through creative writing, photography, and other creative and expressive art forms. 

Throughout the project, participants will explore ideas that include whether international migration a deviation from the ‘sedentary paradigm’ we assume as being ingrained in people’s lives or is it the norm itself, as well as perceptions of Self and Other in different countries and world regions that emerge from migratory experiences and relate to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality, age (and their intertwining) globally (wherever in the world you may be situated), what they mean to each one of us, and how they shape our relationships with one another.

Eligibility

This opportunity is open to graduate students who live outside their country of birth.

Mandatory requirements: 

• Currently a graduate student enrolled at a higher education institution anywhere in the world, or;
• Completed graduate studies (Master’s or PhD) in the last 3 years prior to May 2026, at a higher education institution anywhere in the world.

Additional considerations: 

• Although this project is open to individuals pursuing studies in any discipline, those with some background in migration studies and/or an interest in exploring human migration experiences and issues will be preferred. 

• A strong interest and some experience in creative writing or photography, drawing or digital and visual arts, (and related arts practices) will be helpful. 

• We value the intersectional experience of all applicants, and we are strongly committed to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. If you have interest in participating and you meet the eligibility conditions stated above, we encourage you to apply. In your interest letter, feel free to highlight how your background contributes to your commitment to this project.

We encourage applicants from world regions and contexts where migration across national borders has long been seen as a ‘good’ thing; a ‘normal’ part of livelihoods, kinship and professional networks; a coming-of-age story, or simply an exploration of adventure and wanderlust. Applicants are encouraged to consider their stories of displacement and coerced movement, exploring its diverse patterns outside a framework of ‘crisis’ and with a focus on human agency, human relations and human creativity. You may wish to engage with complexity of concepts such as citizenship, civic engagement, and identity-making; belonging and unbelonging; diversity, family and kinship; recognition and misrecognition, (and related themes) using creative writing or other forms of artistic expression.

How to submit

Submit a motivation letter (no more than 2 pages) explaining why you are interested in being part of this project, along with a short CV (2-4 pages) highlighting relevant experience and expertise. 

Please submit both as one file clearly indicating as filename: your first and last name. 

Email your proposal to Alka Kumar at alka.kumar@torontomu.ca. 

Expected Timeline

EXTENDED Deadline for submitting your application: July 10, 2026

Results to be announced: End of August 2026

Start of the project: September 21, 2026

Completion of the project: February 28, 2027

Duration of the project

Workshops + individual submissions: September 21, 2026 - March 31, 2027. 

December-March end: Write your own story – Individual mentoring by Alka Kumar will be provided throughout the duration of the project to support the successful completion of each submission (this could be in-person or virtually based on mutual convenience).