Over the years, Migrantour has often been at the center of studies and research conducted in university settings from different disciplinary perspectives. Scientific articles and books written by researchers in anthropology, sociology, urban studies, cultural geography, political science, and other fields have been very important in raising awareness of our project, but also—and above all—in encouraging the Migrantour staff to reflect on the initiative’s potential and limitations.
We are therefore pleased to announce the release of another important publication dedicated to the world of Migrantour, and in particular to Migrantour Malta. This is the scientific article “Construction of Identity and Transnationalism: A Journey with Migrantour,” written by Laura Cappai and Viviana Premazzi and published in Volume 2, Issue 1 of the academic journal Mediterranean Journal of Migration (MJM), published by the University of Malta.
MJM is a multidisciplinary online journal dedicated to the analysis of migration-related issues, with a particular focus on the Mediterranean region. The journal is an initiative of the Platform for Migration at the University of Malta and was created to provide a collaborative and inclusive space for dialogue and research in this field. The platform brings together scholars from different academic backgrounds to deepen understanding of the complex and evolving dynamics of international migration, with particular attention to the Mediterranean context. Through this journal, the Platform seeks to promote the sharing of knowledge and academic insights that will contribute to building a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable society.
The article “Construction of Identity and Transnationalism: A Journey with Migrantour” reflects on how identities are formed through ongoing interactions among people across a variety of social and institutional contexts. Migration experiences influence individual development and self-conceptions through a process that can be imagined as navigating among different cultures and social worlds. The study examines the experiences of first- and second-generation migrants who have trained as intercultural guides within the Migrantour network, showing how the participatory construction of itineraries and the narratives developed during the walks are part of a journey of self-understanding and of defining a shared identity as part of a social network.