The research project "Bound in Exile" examines Arabic literature published by migrant publishers in Sweden. The project is an attempt to fill some of the gaps in our current understanding of this understudied movement within the larger Swedish literary scene. Through extensive documentation and study, the project aims to uncover the entangled historical, social, and cultural factors that shape this particular "migrant literature" in Sweden.

The idea behind the research project emerged from the need for a comprehensive account of a literary field (i.e. Arabic migrant literature in Sweden) where the traditional focus often has been on the individual literary work itself. Thus, the project seeks to shed light on the larger evolution of the literature over time, the dynamics of migrant publishing, and the influence of social networks and friendships on integration into the Arabic literary scene in Sweden. 

As a result, the project not only enhances our existing understanding of Arabic literature in a migrative context, but also contributes to a broader discussion on agency and resistance, the intersectionality of diasporic identities, and gatekeeping as they relate to literary production. 

Ultimately, we are hoping to engage in a form of cultural discovering and memorialization that will pave the way for future research. 

The research project is conducted by Mariam Dalhoumi, a postdoctoral researcher at the Centre for Languages and Literature, Lund University.