Post-Socialist Britain: Memory, Representation and Political Identity amongst German, Polish, and Ukrainian Immigrants in the UK

Lead Research Organisation: University of Birmingham
Department Name: Languages Cultures Art History & Music

Abstract

What happens to the connection between collective memory and political identity in the process of migration? 'Post-Socialist Britain' takes as its point of departure the growth in support for anti-immigrant and Eurosceptic parties across Europe. Our focus is on post-socialist countries - that is, those with experience of state socialist rule. The support for right-of-centre and xenophobic politics has frequently been explained in these contexts as being underpinned by collective memory of authoritarianism, and/or the ways in which these histories are used by those seeking support for ethnonationalist politics. Nonetheless, those who give such explanations usually assume that those remembering authoritarianism do so in their country of origin. Post-Socialist Britain breaks out of this national mould to explore if and how memory is linked to political identity when the individual moves to a new national context.

In so doing, the project makes a substantial original contribution to scholarship in multiple fields: memory studies with an interest in transcultural/relational modes of remembrance; sociological work on integration and incorporation of immigrants; and political science accounts of the relationship between the past and present political behaviour. The urgency of this research is given not only by the political shift to the right across the continent, but also by the increase in xenoracism experienced by (especially) Central and Eastern European immigrants in the UK since the 2016 'Brexit' referendum. The presence of these individuals and memories in the UK means that Britain too can be thought of as post-socialist.

Political identity is influenced by a complex web of factors: e.g, constructions of ethnicity, social inclusion, community networks, and media representation. Post-Socialist Britain uses an innovative interdisciplinary methodology to explore this complexity; it combines narrative interviews, network analysis, media research and arts-based community work. It uses a case study approach, focusing on two comparable, but very different, groups: Polish and German immigrants in the UK. Poland and Germany both have memory cultures structured around the dual histories of National Socialism and communism, albeit in very different ways. They also represent two of the largest groups of EU immigrants currently living in the UK. Nonetheless, their experience of migration in terms of the size of their respective communities, constructions of ethnicity in different contexts, representation in culture and media, and radicalisation within the immigrant groups themselves differ substantially. These differences provide a unique opportunity to explore the elements that contribute to the formation of political identity and the role of memory within them.

The research findings of Post-Socialist Britain will lead to a better understanding of how immigrant groups negotiate different aspects of their identities and the factors that contribute to the development of political behaviour. The project will therefore also be of significance for multiple stakeholders who work towards promoting community cohesion and against xenophobia and extremism. We will work closely with Polish and German professional and community associations, policy-makers, immigrant communities, and schools in order to ensure that the findings are disseminated to and are usable by these beneficiary groups. Our project partners are: Centrala/Polish Expats Association, Polish Professionals in London, European's Welfare Association, British German Association, and Creative Black Country. The project will result in a diverse portfolio of outputs for different audiences: a single-authored monograph, a conference and special issue, five peer-reviewed journal articles, six stakeholder workshops, two policy briefings, a virtual and physical exhibition and series of artistic performances, school teaching resources, and press op-ed and opinion pieces.

Planned Impact

Post-Socialist Britain makes a unique and substantial contribution to our understanding of factors that influence integration and community cohesion. It will help us recognise the ways in which memory is interwoven with experiences in the destination country and how that contributes to political identity and behaviour, including xenophobia and extremism. We have identified four stakeholder groups for whom these findings will be essential. Representatives of these groups were consulted in the development of this bid and are project partners and/or Advisory Board members.

1.German and Polish professional and community associations in the UK have at the core of their remit support for immigrants in terms of integration and inclusion. Among the principle concerns of our project partners - Centrala/Polish Expats Association, Polish Professionals in London, the British-German Association, and European's Welfare Association - are the impact of 'Brexit', the growth in xenoracism directed at citizens of EU countries in the UK, and the increase in right-wing radicalisation among CEE immigrants. The research will support these associations by providing a better understanding of the ways in which media representation in the context of 'Brexit' interacts with personal experiences, heritage and networks to shape political responses. This nexus is at the heart of the problems identified by these stakeholders; such an improved understanding will therefore allow them to tailor their future activities to the needs of the communities they seek to represent.

2.There is an increasing interest among UK policymakers at a local and national level in the area of integration, community cohesion and radicalisation. The LGA guide 'Building Cohesive Communities' (March 2019) responded to central government's 'Integrated Communities Strategy Green Paper' (March 2018). In the two cities in which this research is located, this is articulated in the 'Community Cohesion Strategy' for Birmingham and the work of Nottingham City Council's 'Community Cohesion Team'. These policy documents share a concern to promote integrated communities with a view to reducing the risk of political extremism. The research findings will contribute directly to this agenda by generating better understanding of the ways in which multiple factors - including heritage and memory - are interwoven in the process of migration and their impact on political identity and behaviour.

3.Our project partners tell us that (particularly) Central and Eastern Europeans living in the UK often face barriers to inclusion as a result of stereotyping (especially in the context of the 'Brexit' referendum), a lack of cultural representation and a resultant withdrawal into 'closed' communities. The 'Communities' strand of the research addresses this directly by fostering dialogue across different groups around questions of heritage, culture and belonging. Individual members of these groups will have the opportunity to tell their own stories and represent themselves to one another and to a wider audience through an art exhibition and series of engagement events. The anticipated outcome is increased community integration and an improved sense of representation and inclusion.

4.A recent study has shown that children with a background of migration from CEE have suffered a rising level of bullying in schools across the UK since the 2016 referendum on Britain's membership of the EU (Sime et al., 2017). There is also evidence of a (perceived) increase in anti-German sentiment in the UK (McDonald 2016). Schools, especially those with sizeable groups of students with a history of migration from the region, are thus in urgent need of resources to tackle stereotyping and prejudice. The research directly addresses this need by providing materials that highlight the ways in which Britain is also post-Socialist and engaging students with the intertwined (migration) histories of Germany, Poland and the UK.
 
Title Education Resources: Life in the UK after Communism 
Description Set of education resources produced in collaboration with student artists at Nottingham Trent University and based on our research data. The resources include a graphic art book, produced by Milena Muszynska ("Unfamiliar") and a short video and posters produced by Sam Frullo. 
Type Of Art Artwork 
Year Produced 2023 
Impact The materials are available open access and provide teachers with resources to teach sensitively about Eastern European history and post-socialist migration to the UK. 
URL https://postsocialistbritain.bham.ac.uk/education/
 
Title Homeland Exhibition 
Description Exhibition emerging from the Central European Photography Club, delivered in collaboration with Centrala and Artist in Residence, Paulina Korobkiewicz. The exhibition featured Korobkiewicz's own response to our research questions combined with the work of four of the participants in the Photography Club, and a film of video testimonies by those who had taken part. Interviews with visitors to the exhibition were combined into a short film produced by Parallax Visuals, which showcases the exhibition's impact. 
Type Of Art Artistic/Creative Exhibition 
Year Produced 2023 
Impact Participants describe the sense of achievement and pride at having their work publicly displayed in the exhibition. Visitors attest to new ways of thinking about migration and Britain's superdiverse spaces. 
 
Description The project has made important contributions to an emerging literature that aims to rethink the temporal and spatial boundaries of "post-socialism" and to explore the extent to which we can talk of a "global postsocialist condition" (Gille, 2010). It does this by surfacing the lingering effects of colonial and Cold War thinking that conceives of Europe's East as a transitional or in-between space and which underpins the racialisation of movers from the region in the media and everyday encounters. The comparison between Germany, Poland and Ukraine highlights the different ways in which movers from different parts of Europe experience the racialised border regimes in the UK, and how their national histories are (or are not) recognised, represented and understood. This representation can inform responses to Britain as a superdiverse space and contribute to racist attitudes on the part of some movers from the region as they reassert their own whiteness (and Europeanness) through the racialisation of others. Our work with communities shows how bringing superdiverse groups together around a common (creative) goal, and giving them space to exchange memories and experiences, can foster what we are terming "mnemonic conviviality", that is, support "living with difference" (Gilroy, 2004).
Exploitation Route We anticipate that our work will be of use empirically and conceptually to academics seeking to rethink the temporal and spatial boundaries of post-socialism and consider how the post-colonial and post-socialist intersect in what has been termed the post-Cold War (Chari and Verdery, 2009). In particular, we are exploring how this work can intersect with the emerging concept of "slow memory" (Wuestenberg, 2023).
Our work will be of use to those seeking to support movers from Europe's East - especially displaced Ukrainians - as they work to build their lives in the UK by highlighting the historical background behind the challenges they face. This would include policy-makers, -influencers and -implementers, NGOs, and educators. The project presents evidence for best practice in using arts-based engagement to foster community cohesion and belonging.
Sectors Creative Economy

Government

Democracy and Justice

Culture

Heritage

Museums and Collections

Other

URL https://postsocialistbritain.bham.ac.uk/
 
Description The impact from this project is emerging, but can (so far) be seen in two domains: 1. The participants of the Central European Photography club have reported significant impact in terms of developing their photography practice, including progressing to paid commissions and first artistic shows. The participants also report an increased sense of belonging to their local community, pride in place, and better understanding of different migration experiences and memories. This recognition and understanding of the diversity of migration experiences is also reported by visitors to the physical exhibition emerging from the project at Centrala. 2. The research on the experiences of displaced Ukrainians has informed the practice of civil servants in the Department of Work and Pensions, the Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities, and Birmingham City Council. It underpinned a written evidence submission to the Public Accounts Commission inquiry on the Homes for Ukraine scheme in November 2023. The research has also been integrated into sessions for new and existing hosts delivered by the Birmingham Refugee and Migrant Centre, who are the main provider of support for displaced Ukrainians in the city.
First Year Of Impact 2022
Sector Creative Economy,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections
Impact Types Cultural

Societal

 
Description Citation in House of Commons Library Report on the Anniversary of Homes for Ukraine
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Citation in other policy documents
URL https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CDP-2023-0043/CDP-2023-0043.pdf
 
Description Submission of Written Evidence to Homes for Ukraine inquiry
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/126467/pdf/
 
Description Submission of Written Evidence to House of Lords Review "The Future of News"
Geographic Reach National 
Policy Influence Type Contribution to a national consultation/review
URL https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/128376/pdf/
 
Description Collaboration with Centrala Space/Polish Expats Association 
Organisation Centrala
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Charity/Non Profit 
PI Contribution The partnership is centred on the co-organisation of a series of photography workshops in West Bromwich and Hyson Green, focused on Central and Eastern European migrants living in those areas. The workshops allowed data to be collected on the ways in which migrants from Central and Eastern Europe narrate their memories and identities within their communities. The material produced in the workshops formed the basis of an exhibition commissioned by Centrala, delivered by an artist in residence, and displayed in the gallery. The workshops were designed and delivered by the project's Community Engagement Officer, Oxana Bischin, and supported by Principal Investigator Sara Jones. The project team and Centrala also collaborated on the organisation of the First Input Workshop in September 2021 and the project celebration in January 2024.
Collaborator Contribution Centrala supported with the design and advertising of the workshops and gave advice on recruiting participants. They commissioned artist Paulina Korobkiewicz to design the exhibition emerging from the project and hosted the exhibition in Centrala in the autumn of 2023. Centrala organised a series of community engagement events and workshops around the exhibition. The Director of Centrala Alicja Kaczmarek acted as co-mentor for the Community Engagement Officer and was a key Advisory Board member for the project as a whole.
Impact First Input Workshop; 4 x photography workshop series in West Bromwich and Hyson Green; Exhibition in Centrala and Surface Gallery, Nottingham (October-December 2023; Community engagement events in April 2023 and autumn 2023
Start Year 2021
 
Description Community Engagement Events 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact We organised a series of community engagement events in West Bromwich, Birmingham and Nottingham to engage the general public with the research project and with the *Homeland* exhibition as one output of it. This included celebration events, and workshops focused on Zine-making, collage and storytelling, delivered in collaboration with local artists and the project's Artist in Residence (Paulina Korobkiewicz).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Community Photography Workshops 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Study participants or study members
Results and Impact As part of both data collection and community engagement, Oxana Bischin and Sara Jones delivered four series of photography workshops (with ten workshops in each series) in West Bromwich and Hyson Green. The workshops provided participants with training in basic photography skills and gave them the opportunity to take photographs of their local area through photowalks focused on a weekly theme (e.g., my history, family, journeys etc.). Participants were asked to talk about their photographs within the group and to exchanges stories with one another. The photographs form the basis of a virtual exhibition on the project website and were used in a physical exhibition designed by Paulina Korobkiewicz and shown in Birmingham and Nottingham in autumn/winter 2023. Participants provided very positive feedback on the workshops, highlighting both their improved photography skills and a sense of being included in the community. Ongoing photography groups - led by participants - have been formed in both cities.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022,2023
URL https://postsocialistbritain.bham.ac.uk/communities/
 
Description First Input Workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact At this first project workshop we introduced our research to those working with migrant communities and/or in the field of community inclusion and cohesion. Our aim was to learn from workshop participants to help shape our research to meet their needs and also give them the opportunity to be involved in the project from the start and to meet and network with others working on this topic.

At the workshop we discussed:
A. Expectations of stakeholders whose activity focuses on supporting integration and community cohesion, and how the research is relevant for them
B. The ways in which media representation in the context of 'Brexit' interacts with personal experiences, heritage and networks to shape political responses
C. The ways in which multiple factors - including heritage and memory - are interwoven in the process of migration and their impact on political identity and behaviour.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2021
URL https://postsocialistbritain.bham.ac.uk/outputs/3/
 
Description Launch of Policy Report: Support for Displaced Ukrainians 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Policymakers/politicians
Results and Impact Launch event for the policy report "Support for Displaced Ukrainians", attended by a diverse audience made up of academics, research participants, professionals working on refugee and migrant support, and representatives of local and and national government and civil service.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://postsocialistbritain.bham.ac.uk/outputs/12/
 
Description Launch of Schools Resources: Living in the UK after Communism 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Launch of the schools resources: Living in the UK after Communism. Attended by a mixed audience of academics and professional practitioners.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://postsocialistbritain.bham.ac.uk/outputs/17/
 
Description Photography and Memory Workshops at Sandwell Colleges 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact In May 2022, team members Oxana Bischin and Sara Jones, worked with colleagues at Sandwell College to deliver workshops on 'Memory and Photography'. Eighteen students were engaged in reflections on the relationship between memory and photography and eleven students and two teachers of photography took part in the extension project, in which they created their own photo series based on the key principles introduced in the workshops. Two of the participating students were selected to feature in the Memory and Photography guide that is now freely accessible on the project website. Bischin and Jones have been asked to return to Sandwell Colleges to deliver the workshops to a new cohort of students in March 2023.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022,2023
URL https://postsocialistbritain.bham.ac.uk/education/
 
Description Project Celebration Event 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Celebration event to mark the end of the project and disseminate findings to diverse audiences. The event was co-hosted with the project partner, Centrala, and attended by research participants, representatives of local government, professionals working in the field of refugee and migrant support, students and the general public.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024
 
Description Second Stakeholder Workshop 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact The project team hosted the second stakeholder workshop on the 2 December 2022. The aim was to present our initial findings and dissemination plan to a diverse group of potential beneficiaries and to gain their input and feedback on ways forward. The online workshop was attended by a representatives of a number of third sector organisations with relevant expertise (e.g., In Limbo, Migrants in Theatre, British German Association, European's Welfare Association). Plans were made for future collaboration with the project team.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://postsocialistbritain.bham.ac.uk/outputs/9/
 
Description Workshops with Refugee and Migrant Centre (Birmingham) 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Third sector organisations
Results and Impact Engagement with the Birmingham Refugee and Migrant Centre around the report "Support for Displaced Ukrainians", including dedicated sessions with hosts supporting (or wanting to support) displaced Ukrainians.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023,2024