Study name: The Tunisian Diaspora in Britain – The London Case
Project lead: Monia Channoufi
Project overview
This study aims to map the Tunisian diaspora in London and give an account of their migration to the UK and their patterns of integration. It seeks to understand whether Tunisians form a visible cultural entity in Britain and to examine the role of Tunisian migrant associations and representative offices in the engagement of the community with the country of origin and/or the host country. Furthermore, the study aims to explore the differing articulations of their sense of identity and the main determinants influencing it. By extension, this study considers the various patterns of ‘integration’ among Tunisians and across generations. The nature of Tunisian migration experience to the UK motivates the need to explore their migration history and settlement. Because it was non-structured through bilateral agreements, Tunisian migration relied primarily on networks of friends and relatives. This creates an intriguing case of chain migration which has caused the majority of Tunisians to be settled in West London.
Basing this study on Tunisians living in London is challenging because of the lack of quality data and the scarcity of academic research on this community. This necessitates the use of in-depth qualitative research methods to fill some of the existing research gaps on North Africans in Britain while addressing the aims of this study.