Research and Publications

Research Areas

The Institute for Migration Studies develops research and publications in the following areas:

• Diaspora-Homeland Relations
• International Migration and Refugee Law
• Refugee and Displacement Studies
• Migrant Domestic Workers and Labor Migration
• Gender and Migration
• Refugee and Migrant Health
• Humanitarian Settings and Conflict
• Migration and Asylum Policy
• Statelessness, Citizenship, Identity and Transnationalism
• Environmental Migration and Displacement

Books and Book Chapters

• Diab, J. L. (2024), “Protection beyond refuge: expanding on the need for an intersectional approach to Syrian refugees’ social protection in Jordan,” In: Freedman, J. & Santana de Andrade, G. (eds), Research Handbook on Asylum and Refugee Policy, Edward Elgar Publishing, link
• Diab, J. L. (2024), “Refuge in silos: how three of the largest MENA hosts address Syrian mass displacement in the absence of coordinated efforts and responses,” In: Freedman, J. & Santana de Andrade, G. (eds), Research Handbook on Asylum and Refugee Policy, Edward Elgar Publishing, link
• Diab, J. L., Asfour, O., Abbara, A. (2023), “COVID-19 in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: A Driver of Inequality for Refugees and Vulnerable Groups,” In: Kraemer, A. & Medzech, M. (eds), Covid-19 pandisziplinär und international. Medizin, Kultur, Gesellschaft. Springer VS, Wiesbaden, link
• Diab, J. L. (2022), Refugee, Asylum Seeker or Migrant? Words Matter. People Matter. Politics Matter in ‘Forced Migration Studies: Current Interventions,’ edited by Leonardo Schiocchet and Christine Nölle-Karimis, link
• Tabar, P. & Akel, R. (2021), October 17 Uprising and the Challenge of the Dialectics of Inclusion and Exclusion, in ‘The Communitarian Nation-State Paradox in Lebanon’ edited by Imad Salamey, Nova Science Publishers, ISBN: 978-1-68507-223-0.
• Tabar, P. & Denison, A. (2020), Diaspora Policies, Consular Services and Social Protection for Lebanese Citizens Abroad, in ‘Migration and Social Protection in Europe and Beyond (Volume 3)’ edited by  Jean-Michel Lafleur and Daniela Vintila, link
• Tabar, P., Denison, A. & Alkhomassy M. (2020), Access to Social Protection by Immigrants, Emigrants and Resident Nationals in Lebanon, in ‘Migration and Social Protection in Europe and Beyond (Volume 3)’ edited by  Jean-Michel Lafleur and Daniela Vintila, link
• Noble, G. & Tabar, P. (2017), The ‘Career’ of the Migrant: Time, Space and the Settling Process, in ‘Critical Reflections on Migration, ‘Race’ and Multiculturalism edited by Martina Boese and Vince Marotta, Routledge, link
• Tabar, P. & Maalouf, W. (2017), The Emergence of a ‘Diasporic Political Field’: A Case for Political Remittances, in ‘Migration and Social Remittances in a Global Europe: Europe in a Global Context’ edited by Magdalena Nowicka and Vojin Šerbedžija, Palgrave Macmillan, link
• Batrouney, T., Boos, T., Escher, A. & Tabar, P. (2014), Palestinian, Lebanese and Syrian Communities in the World: Theoretical Frameworks and Empirical Studies, Winter Verlag, ISBN: 978-3-8253-6403-8.
• Tabar, P. & Skulte-Ouaiss, J. (2010), Politics, Culture and the Lebanese Diaspora, Cambridge Scholars Publishing, ISBN: 978-1443823296.
• Tabar, P., Noble, G. & Poynting, S. (2010), On Being Lebanese in Australia: Identity, Racism and the Ethnic Field, Lebanese American University Press, ISBN: 9953-461-12-0.
• Poynting, S., Tabar, P. & Nobel, G. (2009), Looking for Respect: Lebanese Immigrant Young Men in Australia, in ‘Migrant Men Critical Studies of Masculinities and the Migration Experience’ edited by Mike Donaldson, Raymond Hibbins, Richard Howson and Bob Pease, Routledge, link
• Tabar, P. (2005), Lebanese Diaspora: History, Racism and Belonging, Lebanese American University Press, ISBN: 9953-461-00-7.
• Poynting, S., Noble, G., Tabar, P. & Collins, J. (2004), Bin Ladin in the Suburbs: Criminalising the Arab Other, Sydney Institute of Criminology, link   

Proceedings, Collections and Reports

• Diab, J. L., Petro, M. & Samneh, B. (2024), Lebanon’s Migrants and “Other” Refugees: A Needs Assessment,” Jesuit Refugee Service, link
• Norman, K., Martín Gil, A. & Diab, J. L. (eds) (2024), “Climate-Induced Displacement in the Middle East and North Africa,”Baker Institute for Public Policy, Rice University, link
• Fynn Bruey, V., Diab, J. L. & Norby, P. (2025), “Climate Change and Environmental Displacement,” Journal of Internal Displacement 15(1), link
• Daigle, M., Spencer, A., Diab, J. L., et al (2023), Sex, Health and Rights in Displacement and Humanitarian Response: Crises Upon Crises in Lebanon and Beyond, Humanitarian Policy Group, Overseas Development Institute, link
• Diab, J. L. & Jouhari, I. (2023), Conflict, Crisis and Migration: Maritime Irregular Migration from Lebanon Since, Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, link
• Diab, J. L. (2022), Democracy and Human Rights: Syrian Refugee Youth in Lebanon 2021, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, link
• Diab, J. L. (2022), Understanding Remittances as a Coping Strategy amidst Lebanon’s Crises: Opportunities and Challenges for Aid Actors, Mercy Corps, link
• Diab, J. L. & Jerjawee, A. (2022), Displacement in Yemen [AR], Euro-Med Monitor, link
• Diab, J. L. & Jerjawee, A. (2022), Displacement in Yemen [EN], Euro-Med Monitor, link
• Diab, J. L. & Kaloti, R. (2022), Refugees in Iraq: An Overview, Impact International, link
• Andersen, L. E. (2016), The Neglected Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon and the Syrian Refugee Crisis, The Danish Institute for International Studies and the Institute for Migration Studies, link
• Jureidini, R. (2014), Migrant Labour recruitment to Qatar : report for Qatar Foundation Migrant Worker Welfare Initiative, Bloomsbury Qatar Foundation Publishing, link
• Tabar, P., Skulte-Ouaiss, J., Habib, M. & Murray, M. (2012), Home Politics Abroad: The Role of the Lebanese Diaspora in Conflict, Peacebuilding and Democratic Development, IDRC Canada, link
• Jureidini, R. (2011), An Exploratory Study of Psychoanalytic and Social Factors in the Abuse of Migrant Domestic Workers by Female Employers in Lebanon, KAFA, link

Papers and Journal Articles

• Diab, J. L. (2024), “Missiles and Misfits: Reimagining Home and Security for Queer Internally Displaced Persons from South Lebanon,” Journal on Migration and Human Security 12(4): 350-368, link
• Diab, J. L. & Saban, A. (2024), “Nomads of the Void: Unpacking the Enigmatic Lives and Survival of Syrian Dom Refugee Women in North Lebanon,” Journal on Migration and Human Security 12(4): 388-402, link
• Skulte-Ouaiss, J. & Diab, J. L. (2024), “Multiple Borders in One War: Constructing Mental Maps of Syrian Refugees as Threats,” Studies in Ethnicity and Nationalism: 1-19, link
• Fakhry, Y., Hussein, F. H. & Diab, J. L. (2024), “Health in Crisis: A Paradox of Access for Syrian Refugees and Lebanese Hosts,” Health Services Insights 17: 1-13, link
• Diab, J. L. & Samneh, B. (2024), “On the Margins of Refuge: Queer Syrian Refugees and the Politics of Belonging and Mobility in post-2019 Lebanon,” International Journal of Discrimination and the Law: 1-25, link
• Diab, J. L. & Al-Azzeh, D. (2024), “Inclusive Inquiry: A Compassionate Journey in Trauma-Informed Qualitative Research with GBV Survivors from Displaced Communities,” Frontiers in Psychology 15, link
• Diab, J. L., Jasiukaitis, S. & El-Zakka, Y. (2024), “Refugee Voices vs. Humanitarian Choices: How Much Can Refugee-Led Organizations Redefine Power and Agency in Post-2019 Lebanon?,” Journal of International Humanitarian Action 9(8), link
• Diab, J. L. & Skulte-Ouaiss, J. (2024), “An Identity Quandary in Lebanon,” Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, link
• Kaloti, R., Diab, J. L., Alkhalil, M. & Abbara, A. (2024), “Compounding Challenges for Syrian Refugees in Türkiye in the Wake of the Earthquake,” The Lancet Global Health, link
• Fakhry, Y., Hussein, F. H. & Diab, J. L. (2024), “Health in Crisis: A Paradox of Access for Syrian Refugees and Lebanese Hosts,” Health Services Insights 17: 1-13, link
• Diab, J. L., Jasiukaitis, S. & El-Zakka, Y. (2024), “Refugee Voices vs. Humanitarian Choices: How Much Can Refugee-Led Organizations Redefine Power and Agency in Post-2019 Lebanon?,” Journal of International Humanitarian Action 9(8), link
• Kaloti, R., Diab, J. L. Alkhalil, M. & Abbara, A. (2024), Compounding challenges for Syrian refugees in Türkiye in the wake of the earthquake, The Lancet Global Health, link
• Diab J. L. , Samneh B., Masoud D. and Cravero K. (2024), Gender identity as a barrier to accessing adequate and inclusive healthcare for Syrian refugees in Lebanon’s Northern regions, Front. Hum. Dyn. 5:1205786, link
• El-Zakka Y. & Diab J. L. (2023), Youth development and spatial configurations: socio-spatial inequalities in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, Frontiers in Sociology 8:1192511, link
• Diab, J. L. & Scissa, C. (2023), Gender, Migration and Environment in the MENA: Vulnerabilities, Frameworks and Ways Forward, Journal of Migration Affairs, Vol. V(1-2): 11-20, link
• Diab, J. L. (2023), From Exclusionary to Participatory Feminist Peacebuilding in Lebanon: Examining the Roles of Refugees, Migrants and Women in All Their Diversity, Al-Raida 47(2), 116-123.
• Diab, J. L. (2023), Safe Return and Voluntary Repatriation for Syrian Refugees from Lebanon: What Needs to Happen Next?, United Nations University Centre for Policy Research, link
• Diab, J. L. et al (2023), The Gender Dimensions of Sexual Violence against Migrant Domestic Workers in post-2019 Lebanon, Frontiers in Sociology, link
• Diab, J. L. (2022), What Ukraine, Afghanistan and Syria Have Taught Us About the Politics of International Refugee Law, TRC Journal of Humanitarian Action, Volume 2, Issue 1, link
• Saleh, S., Ibrahim, S., Diab, J. L. & Osman, M. (2022), Integrating Refugees into National Health Systems amid Political and Economic Constraints in the EMR: Approaches from Lebanon and Jordan, Journal of Global Health, Volume 12, link
• Fouad, F. M., Soares, L., Diab, J. L. & Abouzeid, A. (2022), The Political Economy of Health in Conflict: Lessons Learned from Three States in the Eastern Mediterranean Region during COVID-19, Journal of Global Health 12(07001), pp 1-10, link
• Diab, J. L. (2021), On Refuge and Displacement: Challenges to the Provision of Rights and Protection for Syrians Inside and Outside Syrian Borders, Researching Internal Displacement, link
• Kabbanji, L., Awada, H., Hasbani, M., El Hachem, E. & Tabar, P. (2019), Studying Abroad: A Necessary Path towards a Successful Academic Career in Social Sciences in Lebanon?, International Revue of Sociology (3), pp 390-408, link
• Tabar, P. (2019), Transnational is not Diasporic: A Bourdieusian Approach to the Study of Modern Diaspora, Journal of Sociology 56(3), pp 455-471, link
• Aboultaif, E. W. & Tabar, P. (2019), National versus Communal Memory in Lebanon, Nationalism and Ethnic Politics 25(1), pp 97-114, link
• Noble, G. & Tabar, P. (2017), Wounded Detachments: Cronulla, Social Memory and the Injuries of Racism, Journal of Intercultural Studies 38(3), pp 271-283, link
• Tabar, P. (2016), The Lebanese Diasporic Field: The Impact of Sending and Receiving States, Immigrants & Minorities 34(3), pp 256-275, link
• Egan, M. & Tabar, P. (2016), Bourdieu in Beirut: Wasta, the State and Social Reproduction in Lebanon, Middle East Critique 25(3), pp 249-270, link
• Skulte-Ouaiss, J. & Tabar, P. (2015), Strong in Their Weakness or Weak in Their Strength? The Case of Lebanese Diaspora Engagement with Lebanon, Historical Studies in Ethnicity, Migration and Diaspora 33(2), pp 141-164, link
• Tabar, P. (2014), ‘Political Remittances’: The Case of Lebanese Expatriates Voting in National Elections, Journal of Intercultural Studies 35(4), pp 442-460, link
• Tabar, P. (2010), Lebanon: A Country of Emigration and Immigration, The American University in Cairo, link
• Tabar, P. (2009), Politics among Arab Migrants in Australia, European University Institute, link
• Tabar, P. (2009), Immigration and Human Development: Evidence from Lebanon, Human Development Research Paper 2009/35, United Nations Development Program, link
• Tabar, P. (2008), “Habibs” in Australia: Language, Identity and Masculinity, Journal of Intercultural Studies 28(2), pp 152-172, link
• Tabar, P. (2005), The Cultural and Affective Logic of the Dabki: A Study of a Lebanese Folkloric Dance in Australia, Journal of Intercultural Studies 26(1), pp 139-157, link

Select Commentary, Op-eds and Policy Briefs

• Diab, J. L. (2025), “Lebanon’s 2025 Syrian Repatriation Agenda: Consent under Constraint?,” The Lebanese Center for Policy Studies, link
• Diab, J. L. (2025), Humanitarians Have the Responsibility to Listen, The New Humanitarian, link
• Diab, J. L. (2025), Trauma-Informed Participatory Research: Ethical Pathways in Displacement and Migration Studies, Refugee Law Initiative, University of London, link
• Diab, J. L. & Samneh, B. (2024), Trapped between Neglect and Precarity: How the Migrant-led Mkalles Shelter Exposes the Dangers of Lebanon’s Kafala System in Times of Crisis and War, Raseef22, link
• Diab, J. L. (2024), ‘Lebanon wanted us gone … it was a risk to leave’ − Syrian refugees who fled Israeli bombs face hostility and uncertainty on return, The Conversation, link
• Diab, J. L. (2024), Forced Displacement by Any Other Name: Unmasking the Myth of ‘Voluntary Evacuation’ in Lebanon’s Protracted Warfare, Third World Approaches to International Law Review, link
• Diab, J. L. (2024), Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Among Migrant Domestic Workers in Lebanon’s Informal Shelters, LSE Human Rights, The London School of Economics and Political Science, link
• Diab, J. L. (2024), The Moral Imperative to Protect Lebanon’s LGBTIQ+ Displaced, The New Humanitarian, link
• Diab, J. L., Samneh, B. & Nasr, S. (2024), Beirut’s Invisible Displacement: The LGBTIQ+ Experience Amid Conflict, Beirut Today, link
• Diab, J. L. (2024), Bouncing between War-torn Countries: Displacement in Lebanon and Syria Highlights Cyclical Nature of Cross-border Refuge, The Conversation, link
• Diab, J. L. & Janmyr, M. (2024), Unprepared and Unsupported: Lebanon’s Migrant Workers Amid Surging Israeli Attacks, The Column: Silenced Lands, Powerful Voices, Al-Rawiya Magazine, link
• Diab, J. L. (2024), “Safe Enough for Me, But Not for You?”: How Europe Redefines Refuge for Refugees, Border Criminologies, Faculty of Law, University of Oxford, link
• Diab, J. L. & Skulte-Ouaiss, J. (2024), Ignored, Displaced and Powerless: Lebanon’s IDPs Caught Between Escalating Hostilities and Government Neglect, Researching Internal Displacement, University of London, link
• Diab, J. L. and Crawley, H. (2023), Safe, Voluntary, and Dignified Return for Syrian Refugees from Lebanon, Centre for Policy Research, United Nations University, link
• Diab, J. L. (2023), Selective and Strategic Indifference: Lebanon’s Migration and Refugee Landscapes in the Absence of Inclusive Legal Frameworks, Mixed Migration Review, Mixed Migration Centre, link
• Diab, J. L. & Skulte-Ouaiss, J. (2023), A Cascading Crisis: Looming Threats of Mass Internal Displacement from South Lebanon in the Wake of the Israel-Hamas Armed Conflict, Researching Internal Displacement, University of London, link
• Diab, J. L. (2023), Repatriating Syrians from Lebanon: A pivotal role for UNHCR, United Nations University, CPR, link
• Diab, J. L. (2023), Gender and Security in Lebanon During and Post-COVID-19: The Case of Migrant and Refugee Women, Rice University Baker Institute, link
• Diab, J. L. (2023), On Prosecution, Persecution and Protection: Unpacking Anti-Refugee Narratives, Kinopolitics and Selective Outrage in Lebanon, Refugee Law Initiative, University of London, link
• Tabar, P. (2010), The Lebanese Jewish Community: Emigration and Diasporic Relations, Middle East Institute, link