This session delves into the critical intersection of urban ethnography and migration research, emphasizing the importance of decolonizing methodologies, reflecting on researchers’ positionality, and fostering equitable knowledge production. By examining ethnographic practices as well as other methodological approaches, the session aims to uncover how researchers can adapt their methods to better represent and understand the experiences of urban and migrant populations. We intend to explore the co-production of knowledge, integrating local and scientific perspectives to address power imbalances and ensure that research practices are inclusive and critically reflexive. The decolonization of ethnographic methods is another critical aspect of this session. Historically, ethnographic research has been influenced by Western and Eurocentric perspectives, which can perpetuate power imbalances and marginalize non-Western knowledge systems. This session encourages a critical reflection on these issues, aiming to develop equitable and inclusive research practices. Decolonizing ethnography involves recognizing and addressing the power dynamics that arise during fieldwork and ensuring that the voices and perspectives of marginalized communities are adequately represented. The session will address the methodological challenges of studying social mobility within the context of the digital economy, and will additional study cases among migrant workers. Additionally, the panel aims to explore the production of urban spaces through the lens of socio-materiality and border infrastructures, examining how these elements contribute to power relations in urban environments. Through critical reflection and innovative methodological approaches, this session seeks to advance the field of urban and migration studies, paving the way for more equitable and impactful research practices. Overall, we intend to create a platform for critical reflection and dialogue among researchers, encouraging a rethinking of traditional methodologies and embracing more inclusive and equitable practices. By challenging existing power dynamics and incorporating diverse perspectives, the session aims to (re-)think how urban and migration research is conducted and understood. Furthermore, the session encourages us to present our own experiences and challenges by conducting a critical reflection on one’s own position and the ways we produce space and change spatial settings through research in the urban environment and migration studies.
