Victoria Canning

Why did you choose Lund University?

Lund University – and specifically the Department of Sociology of Law – has been such an important influence for me in its real-world impact and approaches to disrupting disciplinary norms. 

I have visited on numerous occasions and was lucky enough to have been inspired by Reza Banakar, whose vision for a defined space for a sociology of law has been carried on by contemporary colleagues.

How do you describe your current research?

For almost 20 years I have been researching border harms and responses to migrant survivors of violence and torture. My current research – Supporting Survival - moves the findings and theories from these projects into positive practice. Through collaborative toolkit development with NGOs and grassroot organisations, survivor and practitioner knowledge and expertise is more easily accessible.

What will be your main research focus during your time at Lund University? 

I see this as an opportunity to collectively build ways with Lund University colleagues to move research knowledge into practice and critical pedagogy. 

I’m excited to introduce the Supporting Survival toolkit and R2R Asylum Navigation Board to the department and hope to develop projects where similar approaches can be taken working across the multitude of research expertise in the department.