Thesis Format
Monograph
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy
Program
Media Studies
Supervisor
Sliwinski, Sharon
Abstract
The study explores the state of displacement through the lens of phenomenology. Many studies examine displacement as something caused by an external factor, such as war or natural disasters, but few examine displacement as a state of being. Drawing from Edward Said’s description of displacement as feeling “out of place,” this study aims to demonstrate how displacement affects people’s perception of themselves and their ability to create meaning. The study is guided by the question: What is it like to be displaced? Working with the stories of displaced people, the study explored subjective experiences. The phenomenological approach was used as a methodological framework to focus on the lived experiences of displaced people. Data was collected through two sessions of semi-structured interviews with eight participants. Participants in the study were volunteers ranging in age from 18 to 55, with a variety of immigration statuses. The study found that the experience of displacement is often expressed through “evocative objects” (Bollas) and, relatedly, through evocative places.
Keywords: Place, Experience of Displacement, Home, Evocative Places, Evocative Objects.
Summary for Lay Audience
Through the perspective of displaced people, this study explores the lived experience of displacement. Many studies examine displacement as an event caused by an external factor, such as a war or natural disaster, but rarely as a state of being. The process of displacement involves the ongoing adaptation and identity negotiation of individuals in new environments. It encompasses the psychological and emotional challenges that persist long after the initial event. For displaced individuals, stability and belonging can be an ongoing struggle, which can last for years or even generations. Using Edward Said’s definition of displacement as feeling “out of place,” this study shows how displacement affects people’s perception of themselves and their ability to create meaning. This study asked: What is it like to be displaced?
To uncover how displaced people perceive and interpret their changing environment, first-person perspectives are essential. Using in-depth interviews and storytelling, the methodology captures subjective and personal displacement experiences. There were two semi-structured interviews conducted with eight immigrants from London, Ontario. The participants in this study were volunteers aged 18 to 55 with a range of immigration statuses. Instead of referring to home as a fixed location, the study found that displaced individuals described home as a place where they felt loved and respected. Participants also discussed their attachment to meaningful objects that help them cope with their sense of alienation. The feeling of belonging is essential for them to feel safe and secure. When inclusive environments embrace people from a variety of backgrounds, displaced individuals feel at home in their new environments.
Recommended Citation
Kangourimollahajlou, Akram, "Stories of Displacement: A Phenomenological Study of Migrant Experience" (2024). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 10699.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/10699
