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Events

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Events

  • November 4, 2026 To November 5, 2026

  • International Conferences

  • BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus

  • Dubai

  • Humanities and Social Sciences

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SHAPING MIGRATION FUTURES IN THE GULF STATES: POLICY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND REGIONAL TRANSFORMATION

CALL FOR PAPERS: NOVEMBER 04-05, 2026
Organised by : Department of Humanities and Social Sciences | BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus Dubai International Academic City | P.O. Box No. 345055 | Dubai, UAE

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

The Gulf States have become one of the world's major hubs of international migration, with migrant workers playing a central role in economic growth, urbanisation, and social transformation. Migration has been fundamental to Gulf development, shaping labour markets and demographic structures and contributing significantly to infrastructure development, service provision, and global economic integration. At the same time, migration governance faces mounting challenges related to labour rights and social protection, demographic sustainability, climate stress, technological change, and shifting geopolitical and economic conditions. These current challenges require innovative, evidence-based policy responses that balance national development priorities with migrant well-being and rights. As Gulf states advance ambitious national visions-such as UAE Vision 2031, Saudi Vision 2030, Qatar National Vision 2030, and Oman Vision 2040-there is growing recognition that migration policies must align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), inclusive growth, and long-term regional transformation. Migration is no longer solely a labour market issue but also a central dimension of sustainability and human development. In this context, the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, BITS Pilani Dubai Campus, in collaboration with the Permanent Committee for Labour Affairs (PCLA) Dubai, the Middle East Centre for Training and Development (MECTD) Dubai, and the International Institute of Migration and Development (IIMAD) India, invites academicians, researcher scholars, activists, and practitioners to submit original research for presentation at the 2nd International Conference on Shaping Migration Futures in the Gulf States on 04-05 November 2026. The conference will provide a multidisciplinary platform to examine migration futures in the region and to generate evidence-based insights for reimagining migration governance in support of sustainable development and shared prosperity.

CONFERENCE THEMES

Authors are invited to submit abstracts covering, but not limited to, the following areas.

Migration, Development, and Economic Transformation
  • Migration and economic diversification in the Gulf
  • Productivity, skills mobility, and human capital development
  • Remittances, development linkages, and transnational economies
  • Gendered dimensions of migration and care work
  • Labour market reforms and workforce nationalization policies
Student Mobility and Knowledge Circulation
  • The Gulf as an emerging global education hub
  • International student trajectories and aspirations
  • Education-to-employment pathways
  • Knowledge transfer and local development
Migration Governance and Policy Reforms
  • Evolving labour migration regimes and regulatory reforms
  • Recruitment systems, agency, employer-employee relations
  • Social protection, health, and welfare of migrant workers
  • Bilateral and multilateral labour agreements
  • Migration, soft power and diplomacy
Technology, Data, and the Future of Work
  • Big data and Al in migration management
  • Digital labour platforms and gig economies
  • Artificial intelligence, automation, and migrant employment
  • Data-driven policymaking and migration statistics in the Gulf
  • Ethical challenges, data protection and surveillance
Migration, Sustainability, and the SDGS
  • Migration's contribution to SDGs in origin and destination countries
  • Climate change, environmental stress, and labour mobility
  • Circular and return migration
  • Immigrant Entrepreneurship and innovation
  • Decent work (SDG 8), reduced inequalities (SDG 10), and partnerships (SDG 17)
Social Change, Integration, and Regional Transformation
  • Transnationalism and migrant identities in Gulf societies
  • Migrant voices, agency, and participation
  • Demography, health, and aging
  • Diaspora engagement and development
  • Language, ethnicity, and every day migrant experiences

GUIDELINES FOR SUBMISSION

We invite abstracts of 300 words and author biographies of 100 words to be submitted via the Google Forms link attached to the flyer by July 31st, 2026. The abstract should include the study objectives, methodology, and main findings. The papers must be submitted in Microsoft Word format only. The submissions will be reviewed by a panel of expert reviewers for acceptance to the conference. The authors of accepted abstracts are expected to submit a full paper by October 20th, 2026. The conference will be conducted strictly in offline mode from 4th to 5th November, 2026.

IMPORTANT DATES

July 31, 2026 Abstract Submission Deadline
August 15, 2026 Acceptance Notification
August 20, 2026 Conference Registration Begins
October 20, 2026 Full Paper Submission
November 04-05, 2026 Conference Dates

REGISTRATION FEE

Student AED150
Faculty/ Academicians AED300
Practitioner AED400

ABSTRACT SUBMISSION LINK

CONTACT & LOCATION

Scan the QR Code or Click Here.

CONTACT EMAIL: 
icmgs2026@dubai.bits-pilani.ac.in
 
WEBSITЕ: 
2nd International Conference
 
VENUE: 
BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus,
Dubai International Academic City,
P.O. Box No. 345055 Dubai, UAE.

PUBLICATION

Selected unpublished high-quality research papers addressing and in line with the conference themes will be shortlisted for publication in a special issue of a journal/book with a reputable Scopus-indexed publication. All papers will undergo a rigorous "double-blind peer review" process.

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

PHOTO GALLERY

SHAPING MIGRATION FUTURES IN THE GULF STATES: POLICY,
SUSTAINABILITY, AND REGIONAL TRANSFORMATION

SHAPING MIGRATION FUTURES IN THE GULF STATES: POLICY,
SUSTAINABILITY, AND REGIONAL TRANSFORMATION

SHAPING MIGRATION FUTURES IN THE GULF STATES: POLICY,
SUSTAINABILITY, AND REGIONAL TRANSFORMATION