Denied State Care: Refugee-Initiated Settlement

In our latest episode, we are joined by Ezgi Karaoğlu, a PhD research at Michigan State University whose dissertation research delves into the urban citizenship experiences of middle-class Syrians with high cultural capital in Istanbul. Conducted between January 2023 and August 2024, Ezgi's research examines how these individuals navigate their integration into Turkish society without formal government guidance, relying instead on their own cultural, social, and financial resources.Ezgi introduces us to the concept of self-settlement, highlighting how middle-class Syrians establish informal care networks, create artistic and cultural spaces, and develop integration strategies amidst legal uncertainty and societal stigma. She sheds light on the role of care in self-settlement, exploring how it challenges traditional notions of institutional responsibility and shifts the burden of integration onto refugees themselves.Tune in as we explore the nuances of self-settlement, the limitations of formal care frameworks, and the resilience of refugees in crafting their paths to stability and belonging in Istanbul's urban landscape.