EU Borderscapes research project in Calais polyglot from 6 pm to 8 pm May Tuesday 6th

We would like to talk (in English if possible) to members of Cafe Polyglotte
about their lives in and around CalaIs, how they experience the border
locally as well as other borders, how those experiences have changed over
time and further points that may arise from these initial discussions.

We can organise the interviews/discussions differently according to who
turns up and who wants to take part. For example, if there are lots of
people Kathryn and I could each run  focus group type discussion of 5 people
each. If  there are fewer people we could do one discussion group or talk to
people in smaller groups. We would need to record the meetings so we can
transcribe them later and we would need people to sign consent forms (which
we will bring - but I can also email you a copy). Transcriptions would be
anonymised.

We can do a short presentation of our project and answer questions before we
start.

 Kathryn and I are meeting on Monday to finalise the Calais visit  - please
do send me any further questions/suggestions that you may have.

Nous vous attendons nombreux pour ce projet vraiment très intéressant.

Dans la première photo John et Stella encadrent Kathryn (à coté de Stella) et Georgie (A cote de John)
Dans la seconde on aperçoit Muriel( a coté de John) et Kathryn (a coté de Stella) car Georgie prend la photo.

http://www.euborderscapes.eu/

EUBORDERSCAPES, financed though the EU’s 7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development, is a new international research project that tracks and interprets conceptual change in the study of borders

Kathryn et Georgie sont deux ethnologues venues de Londres pour connaitre ce qui se passe à Calais, ville frontière où  de nombreux contacts se tissent régulièrement avec ceux qui vivent outre Manche. C'était intéressant de comprendre les raisons des Anglais venus vivre à Calais et les expériences de ceux qui régulièrement rentrent en contact avec  les Britanniques par leur travail, leur loisir etc.

EUBorderscapes Research Project.

Dr Kathryn Cassidy

Dr Georgie Wemyss

 

Greetings to Café Polyglotte members.

 We hope that you have had a good summer.

Last May we spent a fascinating evening with members of Café Polyglotte. We organised two English language focus groups where we discussed members’ experiences and perceptions of the French/British border.

We have had similar discussions with people living in Dover and Folkestone and colleagues across Europe have been talking to people on both sides of a range of different borders. This includes colleagues working in the east of Ukraine who are working in very dangerous circumstances but where the issue of ‘the border’ is central.  We are not yet at the final analysis or writing up stage but it is quite clear that there is huge variation in ways that people conceive of the border -  let alone experience it - based, for example, on their location and social and economic situations. That point was clear in the focus groups at Café Polyglotte! A big difference that is starkly obvious in Calais but more invisible in Dover was the awareness of the border amongst people living in the town .

 Since we were there, as you know, the Calais border has been headline news on both sides. We would be very interested to know the views and/or experiences of individual Café Polyglotte members  on the current situation. If you are interested in sharing your experiences with us please email g.wemyss@uel.ac.uk. As with the focus group we will keep any contributions anonymous.

Meanwhile, the Scottish referendum is happening in less than a week and it is possible that a new border will suddenly become more important to our future research.

 

Best wishes

Georgie and Kathryn