Skip to main content

Mitchell Snider

Biography:

My interests include migration, Latine studies, mobilities, identity, social difference, and social theory. My dissertation research analyzed how the urban socio-spatial mobilities of immigrants affected Latine immigrants' experiences of social exclusion/inclusion and feelings of belonging. I completed my MA thesis at UK as well through a study of Latine migrants' constructions of masculinities in transnational social spaces. I currently reside in Lexington, teach in the Department of Geography, and hold a position as the Data and International Agreements Manager in the University of Kentucky International Center.   

Research Interests:
Political Geography, Cultural Geography, Migration, Space, Gender, Belonging, Borders, Citizenship
Identity Formation & Social Difference
Latinos/as in the U.S
Research

My research examines the material and imagined socio-spatial mobilities of Latine immigrants in the neighborhood of East Boston, MA. The significance of this study is four-fold. First, it forges an innovative theoretical perspective that incorporates the analysis of immigrant socio-spatial mobilities into a study of immigrant belonging and exclusion. Second, it contributes an empirical study that utilizes and critiques some of the migration literature from the 'mobilities turn' as well as intersectional methodologies. Intersectional analyses do not impose categories of difference from the outset; instead, they rely on an analysis of how identities are created through multiple, shifting and embodied interactions. It also contributes to, critiques, and refines some ideas from the mobilities literatures through engagements with emotional geographies, photo-elicitation methods, and the concept of onward migration. Third, this inductive and qualitative study will expand our understanding of current federal, state, and municipal immigration policies and practices, everyday experiences and encounters, and the importance of mobility from immigrants’ perspectives and will therefore have transformative potential for immigrant communities in Boston and other US cities. Fourth, the proposed research has policy significance through its exploration of Latin American immigrants’ mobilities (or the lack thereof). This helps suggest various ways to enhance and improve immigrant belonging and political participation for urban policy makers, immigrant advocacy organizations, as well as immigrants themselves.

 

Doctoral Student
Selected Publications:

Snider, Mitchell. 2017. ‘Moving Encounters: Latinas/os about town in East Boston, MA’. Emotion, Space and Society, 22, 13-20.

Snider, Mitchell. 2017. ‘Being a man in the horse capital: Mexican farmworkers’ masculinities in Kentucky.’ Gender, Place & Culture, 2017, 1-19.

Samers, M. and Snider, M. 2015. Why does the work of immigrants differ so little between countries? In Bauder, H. and Shields, J. eds. Immigration, Integration, and the Settlement Experience in North America. Toronto: Canadian Scholars’ Press.

Snider, M. 2014. Review of “New York and Amsterdam: Immigration and the New Urban Landscape.” Foner, N. Rath, J., Duyvendak, J.W., van Reekum, R. eds. 2014. International Migration Review. (In press)

Snider, M 2012. Review of “Mobilities: new perspectives on transport and society.” Grieco, M. and Urry, J. eds. 2011. Emotion, Space and Society.