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a) In-person interview with a Rohingya woman in Delhi, discussing her journey, livelihood challenges, and aspirations for the future.
b) Makeshift Rohingya settlements in Delhi, built from tarpaulins and bamboo, highlighting the precarious and temporary nature of their housing conditions.
c) A Rohingya man in Mathura running a small informal shop inside the settlement, showcasing how community members create modest livelihood opportunities within the limited space and resources available to them.
I recently returned from an almost month-long fieldwork trip to India , where I conducted in-depth interviews and community engagements with Rohingya refugees living across multiple settlements.
The fieldwork combined in-person interviews in Delhi and Mathura with internet-mediated conversations with Rohingyas based in Jammu and Hyderabad.
The research examined how migration trajectories, gendered experiences, and informal labour networks shape the everyday realities of Rohingya communities in India. Through conversations with women, men, and youth, I documented how families navigate uncertain legal status, limited economic opportunities, restricted mobility, and the constant negotiation of safety and dignity. The fieldwork also underscored the importance of community resilience and informal support systems that help sustain daily life under challenging circumstances.
The 19th Annual Conference on Asian Studies (ACAS): Truths, Tensions, Technologies held at Palacký University Olomouc is currently underway (21-22 November 2025).
I just presented “The Daily Burden and the Securitization of Migration: Lived Experiences of Rohingyas in South Asia.” Drawing on extensive field engagement in South Asia, I highlighted how securitization policies shape the everyday realities of Rohingya refugees—from navigating security checkpoints to accessing essential services and sustaining informal livelihoods. My work foregrounds refugees’ own voices and emphasizes how structural constraints intersect with daily struggles for dignity and survival.
I recently completed a one-month Visiting Fellowship at the Refugee and Migration Lab (RML) in Bangladesh. RML provides both short-term and long-term fellowships and internships, offering training, guidance, research support, mentorship, and a platform to share ongoing work through its “Work in Progress” seminar series. During my fellowship, I had the opportunity to engage deeply with ongoing projects, exchange ideas with researchers, and receive valuable mentorship.
Before returning to the Czech Republic, I had the pleasure of being photographed with Prof. Nasir Uddin at his office at the University of Chittagong, marking the conclusion of this enriching experience.
I recently completed my fieldwork in Bangladesh (September 20250 as part of my ongoing project on the securitization of migration in South Asia and its implications for the Rohingya community.
During my stay, I visited multiple camps — including Camp 7, 8E, 24, 14, 5, the Kutupalong Registered Camp, and the Hindu Camp. I was engaged with Rohingya women, youth, elders, and community representatives, listening to their perspectives on everyday security concerns, access to essential services like education and healthcare, and informal livelihood strategies and community resilience.
These conversations not only shed light on the hardships of protracted displacement but also highlighted the strength, adaptability, and aspirations of the Rohingya people.
Below are some glimpses from the field:
• View of Camp 14, one of the largest settlement areas.
• Conversations with Rohingya women about their daily challenges in Camp 14.
• Community spaces (Shanti Khana) in Camp 14, where people gather and support each other.
• Moments with Rohingya children in Camp 8E.
• Small shops run by Rohingyas — examples of informal businesses inside the camps.
🌍 I’m thrilled to have participated in The Migration Conference 2025 at the University of Greenwich! It was a fantastic event, filled with insightful discussions and engaging dialogues on migration studies. A big thank you to the TMC2025 team for organizing such a warm and enriching conference experience. I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this important field. Looking ahead, The Migration Conference 2026 will be held in Bratislava, Slovakia, from 2–8 September 2026! I’m already looking forward to it!
I am thrilled to share that I am currently visiting the University of Manchester! It’s been an incredible experience, and I’ve had the privilege of meeting with distinguished academics such as Prof. Oliver Bakewell and Prof. Tanja Bastia to discuss my ongoing project, "The Security of Migration in South Asia: Implications for Rohingyas." Our conversations were deeply insightful, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to exchange ideas with such experts in the field.
Additionally, I had the honor of presenting my paper in a seminar on 9th June 2025 alongside Andrea Souto Garcia, a lecturer at the Universidade da Coruña and a member of the Societies in Movement Research Team (Spain). I presented my paper titled "Securitizing Rohingyas: Investigating the Practices of the Securitization of Migration of the Rohingya Community in India." The discussion that followed was enriching, and I appreciate the feedback and perspectives shared by everyone.
A heartfelt thanks to GDI University of Manchester for providing me with this wonderful opportunity. Looking forward to more engaging discussions and collaborative efforts in the future!
I am honored to have presented my paper, "Belonging Beyond Borders: Rohingyas, Citizenship, and Identity in the Indian Context," at the International Conference on the 8th Rohingya Genocide Remembrance Day 2025, organized by the Department of Anthropology at the University of Chittagong, Bangladesh (August 25, 2025).
The conference brought together scholars, activists, and human rights advocates to reflect on the ongoing plight of the Rohingya people, their struggles for citizenship, and their shifting identities across borders. In my presentation, I explored how India’s policies and social fabric intersect with the Rohingya experience, examining the complexities of belonging and the profound impact of statelessness on individuals and communities.
On 9 December, we screened at the Palacky University Olomouc the Ice Cream Sellers, a docu-film shedding light on the experiences of the Rohingya community in Bangladesh. We were pleased to see students join us for the event.
During the post-screening Q&A session, students asked thoughtful questions, eager to learn more about the Rohingya people and their struggles.
Thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to making this event meaningful!
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