Home-No-Home: Academic Immigrants in the Fields of Communication

Abstract

Academic immigrants compromise a significant number of scholars from the departments of communication, media, and related disciplines. This article gives voice to some of the stories shared by 81 of them during in-depth interviews. They discuss childhood experiences that predisposed them to the possibility of immigration, and the various personal, professional, and political motivations for such a change. The sense of living a double life and a complicated relationship with the concept of home characterized many of their narratives. However, they also perceive their “otherness” as a source of strength that impacts their scholarship and makes unique contributions to our disciplines. The article concludes with advocacy for a greater appreciation of our academic immigrant colleagues’ roles and advocates for assisting them to develop a stronger sense of belonging.