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Pragna Rugunanan

Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Johannesburg
EducationD Litt et Phil (Sociology), University of Johannesburg
https://www.uj.ac.za/contact/Pages/Pragna-Rugunanan.aspx (external link) 

Visiting Toronto Metropolitan University

Fall 2022

Research focus while a CERC Scholar - Governing Labour Migration: Temporary, Highly Skilled, Gendered 

Pragna’s specific focus while at Toronto Metropolitan University will be on engaging with the ‘South-South’ bodies of research on transnationalism, flows of migration patterns from developing to developing countries, and the rise in the feminization of migration to the Global South. She will also focus on migration into Africa, and within the themes of transnationalism and gender, she will investigate:

  • Relationship between migration and informal work – occupational choices available to migrants, role of networks, etc.
  • Relationship between formal and informal sectors – duality or continuum?
  • Social composition of migrant workforce – gender, religion, caste, race, region, etc.
  • Migrants’ links with place(s) of origin. 

Related to CERC research theme ‘Southern’ Perspectives on Migration and Migrant Integration.

Career Achievements

Pragna Rugunanan is Associate Professor at the University of Johannesburg. She recently attained her National Research Foundation (NRF) C2 rating for the period 2020 to 2025. She has been accepted into the distinguished Research Leadership Programme 2020 at the University of Johannesburg. Pragna has served on the executive of the South African Sociological Association and is currently a working-group convener for the Industrial and Economic Group. Her research focuses on the construction of African and South Asian migrant communities in South Africa and migration in the Global South. Her current research is titled “Migration, Identities and Trans-continental Linkages: Studying the South Indian Diaspora in South Africa”. Pragna is spearheading a Sociology of Migration initiative for a community of scholars in South Africa. A colloquium, initiated by her, was held in July 2019 with over 30 scholars. A co-edited book volume, emanating from the colloquium, was accepted by Springer Press (May 2020), with a view for publication in early 2021. She has guest edited a special issue of Gender Questions titled, “Transnational Migration, Gender and Sexuality in the Global South” (May 30, 2020). She is currently head of the Department of Sociology for 2019 to 2021. 

Relevant Publications

Meyer, C., & Rugunanan, P. (2020). Mobile-Mediated Mothering from a Distance: A Case Study of Somali Women in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. International Journal of Cultural Studies. (Forthcoming.)

Rabe, M., & Rugunanan, P. (2011). Is there life after Sociology? Exploring the Career Paths of Former South African Academics in Sociology. South African Review of Sociology, 42(3), 60-78.

Rabe, M., & Rugunanan, P. (2012). Exploring Gender and Race Amongst Female Sociologists Exiting Academia in South Africa. Gender and Education, 24(5), 553-566.

Rugunanan, P., & Smit, R. (2011). Seeking Refuge in South Africa: Challenges Facing a Group of Congolese and Burundian Refugees. Development Southern Africa, 28(5), 705-718.

Rugunanan, P., & Smit, R. (2018). Migration, Mobilities and Families: Comparative Views among Congolese, Burundian and Zimbabwean Female Refugees. In Z. Jinnah & K. Hiralal (Eds.), Borders, Bodies and Boundaries: Exploring Gender and Migration in Historical and Contemporary Africa. (Forthcoming.)

Rugunanan, P. (2019). Valuing/Belonging and Devaluing/Unbelonging in the Academy: An Intersectional Perspective. In G. Khunou, H. Canham, K. Khoza-Shangase & E. Phaswana (Eds.), Biographies of Belonging and Exclusion in the South African Academy. HSRC Press. 

Rugunanan, P. (2020). “Africa must be… one place, one country”: Xenophobia and the unmediated representation of African Migrants in the South African Media. In D. Moyo & S. Mpofu (Eds.), Reporting Xenophobia and Migration in the Media in Africa. (Forthcoming.)

Rugunanan, P. (2020). Migration, Mobility and Transnational Families: The Case of Indian Migrant Women to South Africa. Gender Questions. Published online 29 May 2020.

Rugunanan, P. (2020). Guest Editor. Transnational Migration, Gender and Sexuality in the Global South. Gender Questions.

Smit, R., & Rugunanan, P. (2014). From Precarious Lives to Precarious Work: The Dilemma Facing Refugees in South Africa. South African Review of Sociology, 45 (2), 4-26.

Smit, R., & Rugunanan, P. (2015). Transnational Forced Migration and Negotiating Emotions: The Case of Female Refugees in South Africa. Social Dynamics, 41(1), 184-203.