University of Shkodra “Luigj Gurakuqi”, Albania
December 3 – 4, 2026
3 – 4 Dhjetor 2026
Abstract Submission Deadline: September 30, 2026
Background and Rationale
Albania has one of the highest emigration rates in Europe. According to INSTAT estimates, approximately 2.2 million Albanians live outside the territory of Albania — a figure that nearly equals the country's entire resident population of around 2.4 million. This large and geographically dispersed diaspora constitutes not only a profound social and demographic reality, but an increasingly significant force in shaping Albania's economic landscape, cultural life, institutional development, and prospects for sustainable growth.
The nexus between diaspora and development is multi-dimensional and contested. It encompasses the economic dimensions of remittances, investment, and entrepreneurship; the social dimensions of transnational family life, care, and identity; the political dimensions of civic engagement, governance, and dual belonging; and the cultural dimensions of language preservation, knowledge transfer, and intercultural mediation. Understanding these connections requires interdisciplinary inquiry that goes beyond any single field or methodology.
This conference is open to everyone with an interest in the topic: scholars, researchers, students, and faculty of the University of Shkodra “Luigj Gurakuqi” and other institutions, as well as representatives of public institutions, civil society organizations, the diaspora community, and the general public. All those interested are invited to examine the diaspora-development nexus from their respective perspectives, in an interdisciplinary dialogue spanning the social sciences, natural sciences, humanities, law, economics, education, and the arts.
Konteksti dhe Qëllimi
Shqipëria ka një nga normat më të larta të emigracionit në Evropë. Sipas vlerësimeve të INSTAT, rreth 2.2 milionë shqiptarë jetojnë jashtë territorit të Shqipërisë — një shifër që barazohet pothuajse me popullsinë rezidente të vendit, rreth 2.4 milionë banorë. Kjo diasporë e gjerë përbën jo vetëm një realitet të thellë social e demografik, por edhe një forcë gjithnjë e më të rëndësishme në zhvillimin ekonomik, kulturor dhe institucional të Shqipërisë.
Kjo konferencë u drejtohet gjithsecilit që ka interes për temën: studiuesve, kërkuesve, studentëve dhe pedagogëve të Universitetit të Shkodrës "Luigj Gurakuqi" dhe institucioneve të tjera, po aq sa edhe përfaqësuesve të institucioneve publike, organizatave të shoqërisë civile, komunitetit të diasporës dhe publikut të gjerë. Të gjithë të interesuarit ftohen të shqyrtojnë lidhjen mes diasporës dhe zhvillimit nga këndvështrime të ndryshme disiplinore, në një dialog ndërdisiplinor që përfshin shkencat sociale, shkencat natyrore, humanitetin, të drejtën, ekonominë, arsimin dhe artet.
Thematic Areas and Topics
We invite submissions of individual papers and panel proposals addressing, but not limited to, the following thematic areas:
1. Diaspora, Remittances, and Economic Development
This theme explores the economic dimensions of migration and diaspora engagement, with particular attention to local and national development outcomes.
- Remittance flows: volume, channels, determinants, and household-level impacts
- Diaspora investment, entrepreneurship, and business networks
- Brain drain, brain gain, and brain circulation: effects on human capital
- Financial inclusion, banking, and diaspora financial instruments
- Labour market integration of return migrants and second-generation diaspora
- Tourism and diaspora: the role of visits, real estate, and heritage tourism
2. Governance, Policy, and Diaspora Engagement
This theme examines the political and institutional frameworks through which states and international organizations manage, engage, and are influenced by diaspora communities.
- Albanian diaspora policy: institutions, instruments, and effectiveness
- Comparative diaspora policy across sending and receiving countries
- Dual citizenship, transnational voting rights, and political participation
- Diaspora organizations: structure, legitimacy, and state relations
- EU accession, migration governance, and diaspora
- International legal frameworks for the protection of migrants' rights
- Local governance and diaspora engagement at the municipal level
3. Social Cohesion, Family, and Wellbeing
Migration profoundly restructures family life, social networks, and individual wellbeing. This theme brings together contributions from sociology, psychology, social work, and public health.
- Transnational families: separation, reunification, and care at a distance
- Children left behind: psychological, social, and educational outcomes
- Migration and gender: changing roles, identities, and vulnerabilities
- Diaspora, aging, and intergenerational transmission
- Social protection for migrants and returnees
- Mental health and psychosocial wellbeing in migration contexts
- Social work interventions for migrant families and communities
4. Education, Identity, and Cultural Transmission
This theme addresses the educational and cultural dimensions of diaspora life, including questions of language, identity, heritage, and belonging across generations.
- Heritage language maintenance, bilingualism, and Albanian schools abroad
- Educational trajectories of second- and third-generation diaspora youth
- Integration and educational outcomes in destination countries
- Intercultural competence and multicultural education
- Albanian cultural identity in the diaspora: continuity and transformation
- Diaspora literature, art, and cultural production
- Digital media, social networks, and diaspora community formation
5. Environment, Climate, and Mobility
This emerging theme connects environmental science, geography, and development studies to examine how climate change and environmental degradation intersect with migration and diaspora dynamics.
- Environmental migration and climate-induced displacement in Albania and the Western Balkans
- Land use, agriculture, and rural depopulation: the role of emigration
- Diaspora investment in environmental sustainability and green transitions
- Natural hazard risk in origin communities with high emigration rates
- Urban-rural dynamics and internal mobility linked to international emigration
- Water, food security, and migration in the Shkodra region
6. Migration, Law, and Human Rights
From immigration law to international refugee protection, this theme invites legal scholars and practitioners to examine the normative frameworks governing migration.
- Legal status, documentation, and access to rights in destination countries
- Asylum law and refugee protection in Europe and Albania
- Trafficking in human beings: legal frameworks and prevention
- Anti-discrimination law and migrants' rights
- The legal dimensions of diaspora investment and property rights
- Migration and constitutional law: citizenship, statelessness, and belonging
- International private law and cross-border family matters
7. Languages, Communication, and Intercultural Mediation
This theme draws on linguistics, applied linguistics, translation studies, and intercultural communication to explore how language shapes and reflects migration experiences.
- Albanian language variation and evolution in diaspora communities
- Translation, interpreting, and language access for migrants
- Multilingualism in migration contexts: challenges and opportunities
- Intercultural communication and social inclusion
- Foreign language learning and diaspora youth identity
- Discourse analysis of media representations of Albanian migrants
8. Research Methodologies in Diaspora and Migration Studies
This cross-cutting theme invites reflections on the methodological and epistemological challenges of conducting research on diaspora and migration.
- Quantitative and qualitative methods in migration research
- Participatory and community-based research with diaspora populations
- Digital methods: social media analysis, online ethnography, big data
- Ethical considerations in researching vulnerable migrant communities
- Mixed-methods approaches and interdisciplinary research design
- Conducting research across borders: practical and methodological challenges
Special Conference Initiatives
Beyond the academic paper sessions, the conference programme will include the following special initiatives, reflecting the shared priorities of the University and its co-organizing institutions:
Shkodra Ambassadors: Diaspora Professionals and Researchers
A dedicated panel will profile professionals, academics, and researchers of Shkodra origin who are active in universities, research institutions, and international organizations abroad. Presented as "Ambassadors of the City," these speakers will share their professional trajectories and reflect on pathways for continued engagement with Shkodra and its institutions.
Shkodra 2030: An Academic Showcase
A special academic session will present the potential of Shkodra in tourism, economic development, and environmental sustainability, framed within the "Shkodra 2030" vision. The session is designed to familiarize diaspora participants with local investment opportunities and avenues for knowledge and expertise transfer, and to serve as a platform for launching new partnerships between the University of Shkodra and higher education or research institutions where the diaspora is active — including joint applications for grants and projects in support of local development.
Diaspora Voices
Selected discussion panels will be accompanied by short promotional videos featuring diaspora contributors taking part in the conference, highlighting their stories and their connection to Shkodra.
Youth Forum: Identity and Heritage
A dedicated forum will engage students and the younger generation of the diaspora in discussions on identity, cultural heritage, and belonging, ensuring that youth voices are actively represented alongside the academic programme.
Submission Guidelines
The conference welcomes submissions in Albanian and English. All abstracts must be submitted electronically via the conference submission platform by the stated deadline.
Individual Paper Abstracts
- Abstracts of 250–300 words describing the paper's main argument, theoretical framework, methodology, and expected contribution
- Title of the paper
- Name(s), institutional affiliation(s), and contact details of all authors
- A brief biographical note (max. 100 words) for each author
- Indication of the thematic area most relevant to the submission
- Preferred language of presentation (Albanian or English)
Abstracts will be reviewed by the Scientific Committee on the basis of academic quality, relevance to the conference themes, and potential to contribute to interdisciplinary dialogue. Authors of accepted abstracts will be notified by October 15, 2026.
Key Dates
- Abstract submission deadline: September 30, 2026
- Notification of acceptance: October 15, 2026
- Conference dates: December 3, 4 2026
Publication Opportunities
Authors of selected papers presented at the conference will be invited to submit extended versions for consideration in a peer-reviewed edited volume or special journal issue. Details on publication outlets will be communicated following the conference.
Participation and Registration
There are no registration fees for this conference. Please note that the organizers are not able to cover participants' travel, accommodation, or other related expenses; these remain the responsibility of each participant.
Organizers
The conference is jointly organized by:
- University of Shkodra “Luigj Gurakuqi”
- READ AADF (Albanian American Development Foundation)
- Municipality of Shkodra
The Scientific Committee comprises representatives of the organizing institutions and invited international experts in diaspora and migration studies.
Contact and Submissions
For further information and abstract submission, please contact:
Conference Secretariat
Email: diaspora2026@unishk.edu.al
Website:
We look forward to welcoming you to Shkodra.