Call for article proposals

Articles should seek to answer any of the following broad questions or related topics:

• What are the challenges faced by actors working to rescue people on dangerous journeys and those acting to prevent loss of life?  
• What is blocking progress and how can these barriers be removed? 
• How do issues of criminalisation, restricted humanitarian access and legal interpretations shape responses to people in distress?  
• How should the responsibilities of States vis a vis people in distress be understood? And responsibilities towards missing migrants and refugees?  
• What role can the private sector play in rescue and assistance? What particular challenges are there for the shipping industry? How can these be overcome? 
• How can coordination be improved between actors working on rescue, humanitarian assistance and/or those addressing the fate of missing migrants and refugees (e.g. governments, international organisations, NGOs, the private sector, and local communities)? 
• How can the fate of missing migrants and refugees be clarified? What examples of good practice currently exist in search and identification efforts? How can they be built on? What role do media narratives play in shaping discussions on rescue and saving lives?  
• What role could a ‘route-based approach’ play in preventing loss of life and addressing the fate of missing migrants and refugees? 
• What are the particular challenges for children and young people on dangerous journeys? How can they be better supported?  
• How does gender affect safety on migration routes? What initiatives could reduce harm for people who are particularly vulnerable due to their gender?  
• What role does the development of safe and regular routes play in preventing loss of life? What are the most effective safe and regular routes currently being offered or developed?  
• Are there technological and/or digital innovations which can reduce harm for people on the move or improve search efforts for those who are missing? 
• How is rescue currently being funded and how could efforts be better resourced?  
• How can data collection and analysis contribute to saving lives and/or to the search and identification of missing migrants and refugees?  

Case studies will also be welcomed, particularly those with a regional focus and with an emphasis on lessons learnt and/or with recommendations for change. Personal reflections on the topics raised will be considered for publication where they include reflection on wider implications.

We will be seeking a diverse group of authors including those with lived experience of migration and displacement and first-hand experience of the issues raised in the call for proposals. We would also value contributions from actors beyond the humanitarian space and academia such as those involved in shipping, border security, healthcare, local government and community-level volunteering.