Talking about Immigration & Diversity in Polarized Political Times

Immigration and diversity have become weaponized as populist and right-wing talking points. How can we talk about these topics productively with the public and in the media?

In this fireside conversation, we explore the challenges faced by public intellectuals, academics, and journalists who write and report about immigration and diversity. Each group seeks to make sense of how immigration and diversity shape society, to tell the story of migrants’ and minorities’ life experiences, and to examine how to ensure that people from diverse backgrounds have access to the same resources and opportunities.

How have recent political dynamics affected the ability of scholars, researchers and journalists to talk about immigration and diversity?

How have their strategies evolved in response?

We take on these questions by considering the challenge of injecting nuance into a media landscape that favors soundbites; the tension between presenting “facts” and making moral, ethical, or political arguments; the strategic choice of venues; the ways to measuring impact; and the navigation of backlash.

The event will take the form of a panel discussion with Toula Drimonis, Nicholas Keung, and Mireille Paquet, moderated by Jennifer Elrick.

Stay after the panel to join us for refreshments and a discussion !