Can We Measure Stories?

Understanding and Visualising Migration Narratives

Narrative ‘is present at all times, in all places, in all societies; indeed narrative starts with the very history of mankind; there is not, there has never been anywhere, any people without narrative’ (Barthes, 1975). People make sense of the world through stories, combining narrative threads into more or less coherent depictions of reality, and storytelling about migration is evident from prehistoric artefacts found in ancient sources ranging from petroglyphs to bible stories. This seminar series examines how narrative – whether news, fiction, political speeches, social media posts or other forms – shapes how we think about migration and considers what we can do to measure, visualise, and help societies assess and respond to migration narratives in public debate.

Attendance is free, and all are welcome.

This is a hybrid seminar series.

Join us in person at Kellogg College; please arrive promptly to secure a seat.
Address: 60-62 Banbury Rd, Park Town, Oxford OX2 6PN
Google: maps.app.goo.gl/WYtGYKVbW8Xi8UMr5
To attend in person, you must register in advance: forms.office.com/e/rY5d1E4FRt

Join us online via Zoom. Click here to register: zoom.us/meeting/register/Jj4Am1xcRSSDDxO7OBlyzw
Type: Seminar Series
Series organiser: Robert McNeil (University of Oxford)
Timing: Thursdays, 3:30 - 5 pm
Web Address: https://www.compas.ox.ac.uk/event/can-we-measure-stories
Organising department: Centre on Migration, Policy and Society (COMPAS)

Talks:

Thursday 23 January 2025

Migration Narratives: What They Are and Why They Matter
Date: 23 January 2025, 15:30 - 17:00
Speaker : James Dennison (European University Institute)
Venue: Kellogg College, 62 Banbury Road OX2 6PN
Venue Details: The Hub (wheelchair accessible)
Organiser: Rob McNeil (The Migration Observatory, University of Oxford)
Hosts: TBA

Thursday 6 February 2025

Visualization Choices About Refugees Have Delimited Impacts Along Partisan Lines
Date: 6 February 2025, 15:30 - 17:00
Speaker : William L. Allen (University of Southampton)
Venue: Kellogg College, 62 Banbury Road OX2 6PN
Venue Details: The Hub (wheelchair accessible)
Organiser: Robert McNeil (University of Oxford)
Hosts: TBA

Thursday 13 February 2025

Quantitative Approaches to Measuring Migration Narrative and Potential Uses of AI
Date: 13 February 2025, 15:30 - 17:00
Speaker s: Robert McNeil (University of Oxford), Vahid Ghafouri (IMDEA Software Institute)
Venue: Kellogg College, 62 Banbury Road OX2 6PN
Venue Details: The Hub (wheelchair accessible)
Organiser: Robert McNeil (University of Oxford)
Hosts: TBA

Thursday 27 February 2025

Narrative and Misinformation Response
Date: 27 February 2025, 15:30 - 17:00
Speaker : Scott Hale (University of Oxford)
Venue: Kellogg College, 62 Banbury Road OX2 6PN
Venue Details: Mawby Room (wheelchair accessible)
Organiser: Robert McNeil (University of Oxford)
Hosts: TBA

Thursday 13 March 2025

Seeing Stories: Can We Visualise Public Migration Narratives, And If So, How?
Date: 13 March 2025, 15:30 - 17:00
Speaker s: Luc Rocher (University of Oxford), Adam Mahdi (University of Oxford)
Venue: Kellogg College, 62 Banbury Road OX2 6PN
Venue Details: The Hub (wheelchair accessible)
Organiser: Robert McNeil (University of Oxford)
Hosts: TBA

Editor: Nathan Grassi