‘Using the Surinder Singh Route’ Research Project

Middlesex University's Research Project on the Surinder Singh route

A research team at Middlesex University is aiming to conduct a research project on the use of the Surinder Singh (SS) route by UK citizens in order to reunite with their family members.

By way of the research they would like to gain a better understanding of both the practical and legal aspects of the process, especially about people’s decision to use or not to use this route, the legal and practical difficulties they experience in the course of the process and what strategies they use to overcome such difficulties. This is especially relevant, as not much attention has been paid in either the media or academic literature to the difficulties experienced before and during the use of the SS route.

This project aims to not only add to the existing academic knowledge on family migration but also contribute to the knowledge base on which lawyers, advice services and eventually the European Commission could draw. As the SS route is a right existing under EU law, this research would support those trying to effectively exercise their right by drawing attention to the administrative obstacles and processes that the UK Government requests people to comply with.

Therefore to know more about the SS route, the researchers would like to undertake Skype interviews with people who:

•     Are either contemplating the use of the SS route; or
•      Have decided not to use the SS route; or
•     Are currently using the SS route; or
•     Have already completed the SS route and remained in the adopted country or returned to the UK.

The interviews would last approximately 60 minutes and will be recorded. Full anonymity applies to the data gained through the interviews. The participants can fully or partially withdraw from the research at any time, if they wish to do so.

The research project has received the ethical approval of Middlesex University.

Members of the research team are:

·         Dr Helena Wray (H.Wray@mdx.ac.uk), lead researcher, her academic profile can be accessed here: http://www.mdx.ac.uk/about-us/our-people/staff-directory/wray-helena;

·         Professor Eleonore Kofman (E.Kofman@mdx.ac.uk), her academic profile can be accessed here: http://www.mdx.ac.uk/about-us/our-people/staff-directory/kofman-eleonore; and

·         Agnes Agoston (A.Agoston@mdx.ac.uk), research assistant of the project, PhD student at Middlesex University.

The research is not associated in any way with the Home Office.

If you would like to participate in the research, please contact Agnes Agoston or any of the team members who will be happy to discuss any queries you may have related to the research.