Professor Majella Kilkey (she/her)

PhD, MA, BSSc (Hons)

Department of Sociological Studies

Professor of Social Policy

Director of Research

Director of the CDT in New Horizons in Borders and Bordering

Majella Kilkey
Profile picture of Majella Kilkey
M.Kilkey@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 6459

Full contact details

Professor Majella Kilkey
Department of Sociological Studies
The Wave
2 Whitham Road
91直播
S10 2AH
Profile

Majella鈥檚 work is in the field of migration studies, with particular focus on the intersections between migration and families / care / gender / ageing / geopolitical transformations, which she approaches from sociological and social policy perspectives. These interests coalesce in different configurations around three key areas: transnational families, transnational political economy of care and migration and transformations. She works with groups traditionally seen as 鈥榤arginalised鈥 / 鈥榚xcluded鈥 / 鈥榙isadvantaged鈥, including older people with a migrant background, young migrants and asylum seekers and migrant care workers. Her research is grounded in partnership working, and she uses creative and participatory approaches to research lived experience with the aims of engendering inclusion, respect and esteem. She has a strong track record in co-producing public engagement events around challenging topics.

Majella has a strong track record in UKRI funding, and is involved in two current initiatives: she is Principal Investigator on the project (2022-2025), funded under the 贰厂搁颁鈥檚 Inclusive Ageing programme; and Co-Investigator in the 贰厂搁颁鈥檚 (2021-2026), leading a programme of work on Borders and Care. She also currently holds a number of externally funded international research grants. Currently these include two EU H2020-funded projects on which she is University of 91直播 Principal Investigator: Empowerment through liquid integration of migrant youth in vulnerable conditions [] (202-2023) and Migration, Integration and Governance Research Centre [] (2019-2023). She is a member of the Management Committee of the COST Action (2022-2025).

Research interests

Majella鈥檚 main current research areas are: migration, (transnational) families and care; migration and gender, including masculinities, ageing and migration; family migration policies; the multiple and interconnected 鈥榗rises鈥 experienced in Europe in recent years, including the economic crisis, the 鈥榬efugee crisis鈥, Brexit and Covid-19, examining their implications for EU integration, European Free Movement, EU migration governance and migrants鈥 lived experiences.

Majella currently holds a number of externally funded research grants in those areas.

  • (PI, 2022-2025), funded under the 贰厂搁颁鈥檚 Inclusive Ageing programme. Its key aim is to interrogate accepted interpretations of social inclusion/exclusion in order to reconceptualise them from the perspective of the 鈥淏lack Asian and Minoritised Ethnic and Refugee鈥 (BAMER) population's life courses, and to employ this reconceptualisation as the basis for a new understanding of inclusive ageing and the steps needed to achieve it. The project's interdisciplinary team will research in partnership with BAMER groups and other key local and national stakeholders. These are included variously in the project as Co-investigators, Policy & Practice Partners, Community Researchers, Voice Forum and Stakeholder Platform members. In undertaking impactful co-produced research, we will centre the lived experience of BAMER older people, employing a creative 'storying' approach throughout the project. This will give us a participant-led, inclusive and adaptive way of developing knowledge with those who have experienced exclusion and/or exploitation. Through an innovative combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, we will co-construct a more pluralistic and inclusive knowledge-base and provide a catalyst for change, identifying creative policy and practice steps at micro, meso and macro levels to prevent the risks of exclusion and to promote inclusive ageing. 
     
  • 贰厂搁颁鈥檚 (Co-I, 2021-2026). Majella leads the Care Trajectories and Constraints Research Group, and within that has particular responsibility for a strand of work on Borders and Care. The overarching aim of the work in the Borders and Care research strand is to understand the role of bordering processes in shaping experiences of care depletion within the care convoys of people with migration experiences. In this work we put lived experience centre stage to explore the relational, affective and temporal nature of care in different parts of the care ecosystem. We are committed to using our work to influence care policy and practice and support 鈥榬ecognition鈥 of care in people鈥檚 daily lives. Our research is co-produced with people who require, receive and provide care in participatory and, we hope, empowering ways.  
     
  • EMpowerment and Integration of Migrant Youth (). Majella leads the University of 91直播鈥檚 team work on this European Commission H2020-funded project (2020-2023) composed of twelve partners. The project aims to improve the situation of migrant youth throughout Europe by understanding what enables and constrains integration. It focuses specifically on the situation of migrant young people from outside of the EU who have experienced different conditions of exclusion, vulnerability and inequality. MIMY puts the experiences of young migrants at the centre of its activities by directly involving them as peer researchers through participatory research.
     
  • Migration, Integration and Governance Research Centre (). Majella leads the University of 91直播鈥檚 team work on this European Commission H2020-funded project (2019-2023). MIGREC is a research-capacity building project in the field of Migration Studies at the University of Belgrade. The project focuses on three inter-related challenges for confronting Serbia 鈥 migration, demographic ageing and geo-politics.
Publications

Books

  • Kilkey M (2018) Foreword. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M, Perrons D & Plomien A (2013) Gender, Migration and Domestic Work: Masculinities, male labour and fathering in the UK and USA. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan UK. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M (2012) . Policy Press. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M () . Routledge. RIS download Bibtex download

Edited books

  • Kilkey M & Palenga-M枚llenbeck E (Ed.) (2016) Family Life in an Age of Migration and Mobility: Global Perspectives through the Life Course. Palgrave Macmillan. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M, Ramia G & Farnsworth K (Eds.) (2012) Social Policy Review 24: Analysis and debate in social policy, 2012.. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Yeates N, Haux T, Jawad R & Kilkey M (Eds.) (2011) In Defence of Welfare: The Impacts of the Comprehensive Sepnding Review. UK Social Policy Association. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Holden C, Kilkey M & Ramia G (Eds.) (2011) Social Policy Review 23: Analysis and Debate in Social Policy, 2011. Bristol: Policy Press. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Grenner I, Holden C & Kilkey M (Eds.) (2010) Social Policy Review 22: Analysis and debate in social policy, 2010. Bristol: Policy Press. RIS download Bibtex download

Journal articles

  • Kilkey M & Baldassar L (2023) . Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, ahead-of-print(ahead-of-print), 1-20. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Hussein S, Kilkey M & Tawodzera O (2023) . Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, ahead-of-print(ahead-of-print), 1-20. RIS download Bibtex download
  • L艖rinc M, Kilkey M, Ryan L & Tawodzera O (2022) . The Gerontologist. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Ryan L, Kilkey M, L艖rinc M & Tawodzera O (2021) . Population, Space and Place, 27(3). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M & Ryan L (2021) . International Migration Review, 55(1), 227-253. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tagliacozzo S, Pisacane L & Kilkey M (2020) . Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 47(9), 1903-1921. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Merla L, Kilkey M & Baldassar L (2020) . Journal of Family Research, 32(3), 393-414. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Merla L, Kilkey M & Baldassar L (2020) . Journal of Family Research, 32(3), 514-536. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M, Piekut A & Ryan L (2020) . Central and Eastern European Migration Review, 9(1), 5-12. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kushnir I, Kilkey M & Strumia F (2020) . European Review, 28(2), 306-324. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M, Merla L & Baldassar L (2018) . Journal of Family Studies, 24(1), 1-4. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kim G & Kilkey M (2018) . International Migration, 56(1), 23-38. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M (2017) . Journal of Social Policy, 46(4), 797-814. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M & Urzi D (2017) . Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 43(15), 2573-2590. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M & Merla L (2014) . GLOBAL NETWORKS-A JOURNAL OF TRANSNATIONAL AFFAIRS, 14(2), 210-229. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M, Plomien A & Perrons D (2014) . INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION, 52(1), 178-191. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M & Palenga-M枚llenbeck E (2013) . Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy, 29(2), 109-121. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M, Lutz H & Palenga-M枚llenbeck E (2010) . Social Policy and Society, 9(3), 379-384. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M (2010) . Social Policy and Society, 9(3), 443-454. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M & Clarke H (2010) . Community, Work and Family, 13(2), 127-146. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Perrons D, Plomien A & Kilkey M (2010) . European Urban and Regional Studies, 17(2), 197-215. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M & Perrons D (2010) . Time & Society, 19(2), 239-264. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M (2010) . Men and Masculinities, 13(1), 126-149. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Gonzalez-Arnal S & Kilkey M (2009) . Feminist Economics, 15(1), 85-111. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Alsop R, Gonzalez-Arnal S & Kilkey M (2008) . Gender and Education, 20(6), 623-637. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M (2007) Working mothers and the welfare state. religion and the politics of work-family policies in western Europe and the united states. WEST EUR POLIT, 30(5), 1225-1226. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M (2006) . Social Policy and Society, 5(02), 167-175. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Tagliacozzo S, Pisacane L & Kilkey M () . Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 1-19. RIS download Bibtex download

Chapters

  • Baldassar L, Kilkey M, Merla L & Wilding R (2024) Transnational families in the era of global mobility, Handbook of Migration and Globalisation (pp. 387-401). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kushnir I, Kilkey M & Strumia F (2023) , Migration, EU Integration and the Balkan Route (pp. 12-33). Routledge RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M (2023) Welfare/migration regimes and care chains, Handbook on Migration and Ageing (pp. 67-75). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Merla L, Kilkey M, Wilding R & Baldassar L (2021) Key developments and future prospects in the study of transnational families, Research Handbook on the Sociology of the Family (pp. 439-451). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M (2018) Transnational Families: Opportunities and Constraints for Caring Across Borders In Kapella O, Schneider N & Rost H (Ed.), Familie Bildung Migration RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M (2016) Migrants and Asylum Seekers In Alcock P (Ed.), Students Companion to Social Policy, 5th Edition RIS download Bibtex download
  • Baldassar L, Kilkey M, Merla L & Wilding R (2016) Transnational families, care and wellbeing, Handbook of Migration and Health (pp. 477-497). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M & Palenga-M枚llenbeck E (2016) , Family Life in an Age of Migration and Mobility (pp. 337-350). Palgrave Macmillan UK RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M & Palenga-M枚llenbeck E (2016) , Family Life in an Age of Migration and Mobility (pp. 1-18). Palgrave Macmillan UK RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kim G & Kilkey M (2016) , Family Life in an Age of Migration and Mobility (pp. 137-161). Palgrave Macmillan UK RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M (2015) Migrant men and fathering: the circulation of fatherly care within the families of recent Polish male migrants in London In Baldassar L & Merla L (Ed.), Transnational Familes, Migration and the Circulation of Care: understanding mobility and absence in family life Routledge RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M (2015) Getting tough on the family-migration route: a blurring of the 'them' and 'us' in anti-immigration rhetoric In Foster L (Ed.), In Defence of Welfare 2 Policy Press RIS download Bibtex download
  • (2013) , Transnational Families, Migration and the Circulation of Care (pp. 201-216). Routledge RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M, Perrons D, Plomien A, Hondagneu-Sotelo P & Ramirez H (2013) Mexican Gardeners in the USA, GENDER, MIGRATION AND DOMESTIC WORK: MASCULINITIES, MALE LABOUR AND FATHERING IN THE UK AND USA (pp. 122-+). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M, Perrons D, Plomien A, Hondagneu-Sotelo P & Ramirez H (2013) , Gender, Migration and Domestic Work (pp. 35-64). Palgrave Macmillan UK RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M, Perrons D, Plomien A, Hondagneu-Sotelo P & Ramirez H (2013) , Gender, Migration and Domestic Work (pp. 1-19). Palgrave Macmillan UK RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M, Perrons D, Plomien A, Hondagneu-Sotelo P & Ramirez H (2013) , Gender, Migration and Domestic Work (pp. 149-177). Palgrave Macmillan UK RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M, Perrons D, Plomien A, Hondagneu-Sotelo P & Ramirez H (2013) , Gender, Migration and Domestic Work (pp. 94-121). Palgrave Macmillan UK RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M, Perrons D, Plomien A, Hondagneu-Sotelo P & Ramirez H (2013) , Gender, Migration and Domestic Work (pp. 65-93). Palgrave Macmillan UK RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M, Perrons D, Plomien A, Hondagneu-Sotelo P & Ramirez H (2013) , Gender, Migration and Domestic Work (pp. 20-34). Palgrave Macmillan UK RIS download Bibtex download
  • Holden C & Kilkey M (2011) Symposium on the coalition government, Social Policy Review 23: Analysis and Debate in Social Policy, 2011 (pp. 1-6). RIS download Bibtex download
  • Baldassar L () (pp. 431-443). Edward Elgar Publishing RIS download Bibtex download
  • Baldassar L, Kilkey M, Merla L & Wilding R () , The Wiley Blackwell Companion to the Sociology of Families (pp. 155-175). John Wiley & Sons, Ltd RIS download Bibtex download
  • () In Baldassar L & Merla L (Ed.) Routledge RIS download Bibtex download

Book reviews

  • Kilkey M (2008) Disabled fathers. Disability, Pregnancy & Parenthood International, 62. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M (2007) Citizenship in an enlarging Europe: from dream to awakening. J GENDER STUD, 16(3), 300-301. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M (2006) The politics of sexual harassment: A comparative study of the United States, the European Union, and Germany. SOC POLICY ADMIN, 40(5), 565-567. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M (2006) . JOURNAL OF SOCIAL POLICY, 35, 325-326. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M (2001) . JOURNAL OF EUROPEAN SOCIAL POLICY, 11(3), 281-281. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M (1998) Single mothers in an international context: Mothers or workers?. WOMENS STUDIES INTERNATIONAL FORUM, 21(1), 127-128. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M (1997) Women and the European labour markets - vanDoorneHuiskes,A, vanHoof,J, Roelofs,E. JOURNAL OF EUROPEAN SOCIAL POLICY, 7(2), 163-165. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M (1997) Women of the European Union. The politics of work and daily life - GarciaRamon,MD, Monk,J. JOURNAL OF EUROPEAN SOCIAL POLICY, 7(2), 163-165. RIS download Bibtex download
  • KILKEY M (1995) . JOURNAL OF SOCIAL POLICY, 24, 467-469. RIS download Bibtex download

Reports

  • Kilkey M, Lunt N & Martinez-Perez A (2017) British Medical Association's Cohort Study of 2006 Medical Graduates: Longitudinal Analysis of Career Trajectories RIS download Bibtex download
  • Kilkey M (2007) Disabled Fathers: towards a research agenda RIS download Bibtex download

Website content

  • Lewis H, Kilkey M, Walsh J & Ryan L 'Not one of you any longer': EU Nationals' Brexit uncertainty and mistrust.. RIS download Bibtex download
Research group

Majella co-founded the Migration Research Group in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of 91直播, within which she is now Director of the CDT in New Horizons in Borders and Bordering.

Grants

2022-2025 Economic and Social Research Council

PI on the project (Funded value = 1,114,718)


2021-2026 Economic and Social Research Council 

Co-I in the (Funded value = 拢8,219,677)


2020-23 European Commission H2020

Co-I on the EMpowerment and Integration of Migrant Youth () project, leading the University of 91直播 team (Award = 鈧2,999,998; PI = Prof Birte Nienaber, University of Luxembourg)


2019-23 European Commission H2020

Co-I on the Migration, Integration and Governance Research Centre () capacity-building project (Award = 鈧799,919; PI = Prof Natalija Perisic, University of Belgrade).


2019-20 Worldwide Universities Network

PI on the research collaboration Migrants鈥 decision-making in the context of shifting migration regimes (Award = 拢31,640).


2017-21 Economic and Social Research Council

Co-I on the , co-leading the work package - Care 鈥榠n鈥 and 鈥榦ut of鈥 place: towards sustainable well-being in mobile and diverse contexts. (Award = 拢2.54 million; PI = Prof Sue Yeandle).


2017-19 Noble Foundation

Co-I on the project  (Award = 拢29,760; PI = Prof Louise Ryan).


2016-19 European Commission

University of 91直播 PI on the  (Award = 鈧374,371 Euro; Project Co-ordinator = SEERC, Thessaloniki).


2016 British Medical Association 

PI on the project Analysis of the BMA Cohort Study of 2006 Medical Graduates (Award = 拢38,720)


2016 World Universities Network

Co-I on the project Hidden Voices: Exploring the health experiences of children who migrate (Award = 拢20,000; PI = Dr Jill Thompson).


2013-14 White Rose University Consortium

PI on the Research Network Migration and Economic Crisis: the experiences of Brits at home and abroad (Award = 拢10724)


2008-9 Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

PI on the project Situating men within global care chains: the migrant handyman phenomenon (Award = 拢98,000)


2005-7 Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

Co-I on the Seminar Series Gender, work and life in the new global economy (Award = 拢15,000; PI = Prof. Diane Perrons).


Teaching activities

Majella is Director of the Centre for Doctoral Training in New Horizons in Borders and Bordering.

Postgraduate Supervision

Majella has a strong track record in successful PhD supervision. Topics previously and currently supervised include: transnational care networks, young unaccompanied asylum seekers and transitions to adulthood, Roma and experiences of European citizenship, women鈥檚 experiences of trafficking, UK asylum and refugee policy, migrant care workers in Saudi Arabia, diaspora engagement in development, rural-urban migration and return migration in China and care workers鈥 wellbeing. Majella is interested in supervising PhDs relating to the research areas listed on her Research page.