Postmigrant Alliances: from Hegemony to Conviviality

This research project focuses on postmigrant alliances that are emerging in urban areas across the German-speaking world. At its core are networks and initiatives shaped by the experiences and perspectives of the postmigrant generation: individuals whose lives are influenced by their own migration experiences, as well as those of their families. This project views migration not as an exception, but as a fundamental and enduring element of social reality. The study is grounded in a postmigrant theoretical framework that critically examines dominant narratives of integration and belonging. Central to this approach is a polyphonic interpretation of social reality inspired by Edward Said, which highlights marginalised and overlooked narratives. This approach is combined with a non-dualistic and intersectional analytical method that aims to move beyond binary distinctions such as `natives versus migrants`. The research investigates how postmigrant individuals respond to exclusion and structural inequality, and how they develop political and cultural practices that foster solidarity and renegotiate belonging. The focus is on alliances that contribute to a culture of conviviality, which is based on mutual recognition, plurality and shared memories. Empirically, the project draws on semi-narrative interviews with individuals involved in existing postmigrant alliances. Additionally, the analysis incorporates self-produced texts, social media content, artistic works, and other forms of expression by the interviewees. These diverse materials provide deep insights into the motivations, strategies and self-perception of the postmigrant generation at the intersection of culture, activism and politics. The study includes case studies from major cities in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. A variety of formations are considered, ranging from cultural spaces and artistic collectives to political networks and digital platforms. These alliances are united by their commitment to social participation, their critique of existing power structures, and their vision of new, inclusive forms of communal life. The project aims to reveal the transformative potential of these alliances and demonstrate how democratic values can be revitalised through pluralistic and solidarity-based practices in urban societies.