Dr. Leon Mwamba Tshimpaka

Q1. Who are you?

I am Dr. Leon Mwamba Tshimpaka, a Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the SARChI Chair in the Political Economy of Migration in the SADC (PEMS) at the Centre for the Study of Governance Innovation (GovInn), Department of Political Sciences, University of Pretoria. I also serve as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Humanities and Liberal Arts at Woxsen University, India. I hold a PhD in Political Sciences from the University of Pretoria and an MA in Development Studies from the University of South Africa. My research expertise spans the intersection of intercontinental citizenship and netizenship of African migrants, migration and social sustainability, borders, civil society and democracy, Africa-EU relations, Africa-Canada relations, alternative regional integration and regionalism, and anti-corruption initiatives and development.

Q2. What was your motivation for applying for the FFVT fellowship? Why Germany?

My motivation for applying to the FFVT fellowship stems from my commitment to advancing migration studies through collaborative research that promotes a more balanced and holistic view of the field. Germany's position as a key player in European migration policy and research, combined with IDOS's reputation for excellence in development and migration studies, makes it an ideal environment for expanding my scholarly network and conducting impactful research. Through this fellowship, I aim to actively contribute to IDOS's mission while fostering international academic collaboration in forced migration studies.

Q3. What do you expect from the fellowship?

I aim to co-produce and exchange knowledge with diverse colleagues in the field of migration, bringing together multiple perspectives on forced migration, refugees, and diaspora. This fellowship at IDOS in Germany is particularly appealing as it offers a unique platform to deepen understanding of global migration governance challenges and work towards addressing current policy deficits.

As a former SADC ground expert for IDOS, I look forward to strengthening the existing institutional collaboration between IDOS and GovInn on shared research interests and fostering scholarly exchange. I also plan to utilize IDOS research resources and logistics and participate in FFVT public lectures and workshops.

Q4. What is the focus of your work, and what is innovative about it? / What are your planned outcomes and activities for the fellowship period? And how do they relate to your FFVT hosting institution/ the FFVT cooperation project?

My research examines how Europe-based African migrants use digital platforms for transnational political engagement with their home countries. Specifically, it investigates how these migrants leverage digital tools to mobilize against perceived authoritarian practices and promote SDG Goal 10.2 (enhancing social, economic, and political inclusion) in their countries of origin. I argue that these migrants capitalise on their position in European host countries—taking advantage of both the political structure opportunities and digital infrastructure available to them—to exercise what I term "intercontinental netizenship" through internet activism, thereby claiming space for political participation.

This work offers a fresh perspective on African migration to Europe, moving beyond mainstream narratives to examine how migrant digital activism challenges conventional forms of political participation in increasingly authoritarian contexts. I plan to develop these findings into either a book chapter or journal article, with acknowledgment to my host institution. This research aligns with FFVT's objectives of networking and knowledge exchange.