Professor Majella Kilkey

PhD, MA, BSSc (Hons)

Department of Sociological Studies

Professor of Social Policy

Director of Research

(She/her)

M.Kilkey@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 6459

Elmfield Building

Full contact details

Professor Majella Kilkey
Department of Sociological Studies
Elmfield Building
Northumberland Road
Sheffield
S10 2TU

Profile

Majella joined the Department of Sociological Studies in 2011, having taught in the Department of Social Sciences at the University of Hull since completing her PhD ‘Lone Mothers Between Paid Work and Care: The Policy Regime in 20 Countries’, at the University of York.

Majella’s work is in the field of migration studies, with particular focus on the intersections between migration and families / care / gender / ageing / geopolitical transformations, which she approaches from sociological and social policy perspectives. These interests coalesce in different configurations around three key areas: transnational families, transnational political economy of care and migration and transformations. Majella co-founded and currently co-directs the Migration Research Group in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Sheffield.

Research interests

Majella’s main current research areas are: migration, (transnational) families and care; migration and gender, including masculinities; family migration policies; the multiple and interconnected ‘crises’ experienced in Europe in recent years, including the economic crisis, the ‘refugee crisis’, Brexit and Covid-19, examining their implications for EU integration, European Free Movement, EU migration governance and migrants’ lived experiences.

Majella currently holds a number of externally funded research grants in those areas.

EMpowerment and Integration of Migrant Youth (MIMY). Majella leads the University of Sheffield’s team work on this European Commission H2020-funded project (2020-2023) composed of twelve partners. The project aims to improve the situation of migrant youth throughout Europe by understanding what enables and constrains integration. It focuses specifically on the situation of migrant young people from outside of the EU who have experienced different conditions of exclusion, vulnerability and inequality. MIMY puts the experiences of young migrants at the centre of its activities by directly involving them as peer researchers through participatory research.
Migration, Integration and Governance Research Centre (MIGREC). Majella leads the University of Sheffield’s team work on this European Commission H2020-funded project (2019-2022). MIGREC is a research-capacity building project in the field of Migration Studies at the University of Belgrade. The project focuses on three inter-related challenges for confronting Serbia – migration, demographic ageing and geo-politics.
Sustainable Care: Connecting People and Systems. Majella is Co-Investigator on this ESRC-funded Large Grant (2017-2021), co-leading the programme’s work on migration, mobility and diversity focusing on three areas: care experiences of aged migrants; migrant care workers; and care experiences of ‘Brits abroad’.

Publications

Books

Kilkey M (2018) Lone mothers between paid work and care: The policy regime in twenty countries.
Kilkey M, Perrons D & Plomien A (2013) Gender, Migration and Domestic Work: Masculinities, male labour and fathering in the UK and USA. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan UK.
Kilkey M (2012) Introduction. Policy Press.

Edited books

Kilkey M & Palenga-Möllenbeck E (Ed.) (2016) Family Life in an Age of Migration and Mobility: Global Perspectives through the Life Course. Palgrave Macmillan.
Kilkey M, Ramia G & Farnsworth K (Eds.) (2012) Social Policy Review 24: Analysis and debate in social policy, 2012..
Yeates N, Haux T, Jawad R & Kilkey M (Eds.) (2011) In Defence of Welfare: The Impacts of the Comprehensive Sepnding Review. UK Social Policy Association.
Holden C, Kilkey M & Ramia G (Eds.) (2011) Social Policy Review 23: Analysis and Debate in Social Policy, 2011. Bristol: Policy Press.
Grenner I, Holden C & Kilkey M (Eds.) (2010) Social Policy Review 22: Analysis and debate in social policy, 2010. Bristol: Policy Press.

Journal articles

Lőrinc M, Kilkey M, Ryan L & Tawodzera O (2022) “You still want to go lots of places”: Exploring walking interviews in research with older migrants. The Gerontologist.
Ryan L, Kilkey M, Lőrinc M & Tawodzera O (2021) Analysing migrants' ageing in place as embodied practices of embedding through time : ‘Kilburn is not Kilburn any more’. Population, Space and Place.
Tagliacozzo S, Pisacane L & Kilkey M (2020) The interplay between structural and systemic vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic : migrant agricultural workers in informal settlements in Southern Italy. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies.
Kilkey M, Piekut A & Ryan L (2020) Brexit and beyond: Transforming mobility and immobility. Central and Eastern European Migration Review, 9(1), 5-12. View this article in WRRO
Merla L, Kilkey M & Baldassar L (2020) Introduction to the special issue "Transnational care : Families confronting borders". Journal of Family Research. View this article in WRRO
Merla L, Kilkey M & Baldassar L (2020) Examining transnational care circulation trajectories within immobilizing regimes of migration : implications for proximate care. Journal of Family Research. View this article in WRRO
Kushnir I, Kilkey M & Strumia F (2020) EU integration in the (post)-migrant-crisis context: learning new integration modes?. European Review. View this article in WRRO
Kilkey M, Merla L & Baldassar L (2018) The social reproductive worlds of migrants. Journal of Family Studies, 24(1), 1-4. View this article in WRRO
Kim G & Kilkey M (2018) Marriage Migration Policy in South Korea: Social Investment beyond the Nation State. International Migration, 56(1), 23-38. View this article in WRRO
Kilkey M (2017) Conditioning Family-life at the Intersection of Migration and Welfare: The Implications for ‘Brexit Families’. Journal of Social Policy, 46(4), 797-814. View this article in WRRO
Kilkey M & Urzi D (2017) Social reproduction in Sicily’s agricultural sector: migration status and context of reception. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 43(15), 2573-2590. View this article in WRRO
Kilkey M & Merla L (2014) Situating transnational families' care-giving arrangements: the role of institutional contexts. GLOBAL NETWORKS-A JOURNAL OF TRANSNATIONAL AFFAIRS, 14(2), 210-229.
Kilkey M, Plomien A & Perrons D (2014) Migrant Men's Fathering Narratives, Practices and Projects in National and Transnational Spaces: Recent Polish Male Migrants to London. INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION, 52(1), 178-191.
Kilkey M & Palenga-Möllenbeck E (2013) Fathers' time-bind and the outsourcing of "male" domestic work in Europe: the cases of the United Kingdom and Germany. Journal of International and Comparative Social Policy, 29(2), 109-121.
Kilkey M, Lutz H & Palenga-Möllenbeck E (2010) Introduction: Domestic and Care Work at the Intersection of Welfare, Gender and Migration Regimes: Some European Experiences. Social Policy and Society, 9(3), 379-384.
Kilkey M (2010) Domestic-Sector Work in the UK: Locating Men in the Configuration of Gendered Care and Migration Regimes. Social Policy and Society, 9(3), 443-454.
Kilkey M & Clarke H (2010) Disabled men and fathering: Opportunities and constraints. Community, Work and Family, 13(2), 127-146.
Perrons D, Plomien A & Kilkey M (2010) Migration and uneven development within an enlarged european union: Fathering, gender divisions and male migrant domestic services. European Urban and Regional Studies, 17(2), 197-215.
Kilkey M (2010) Men and domestic labor: A missing link in the global care chain. Men and Masculinities, 13(1), 126-149.
Kilkey M & Perrons D (2010) Gendered Divisions in Domestic Work Time: The rise of the (migrant) handyman phenomenon. Time & Society, 19(2), 239-264.
Gonzalez-Arnal S & Kilkey M (2009) Contextualizing rationality: Mature student carers and higher education in England. Feminist Economics, 15(1), 85-111.
Alsop R, Gonzalez-Arnal S & Kilkey M (2008) The widening participation agenda: The marginal place of care. Gender and Education, 20(6), 623-637.
Kilkey M (2007) Working mothers and the welfare state. religion and the politics of work-family policies in western Europe and the united states. WEST EUR POLIT, 30(5), 1225-1226.
Kilkey M (2006) New Labour and Reconciling Work and Family Life: Making It Fathers' Business?. Social Policy and Society, 5(02), 167-175.
Kilkey M & Ryan L () Unsettling Events: Understanding Migrants’ Responses to Geopolitical Transformative Episodes through a Life-Course Lens. International Migration Review, 019791832090550-019791832090550. View this article in WRRO

Chapters

Merla L, Kilkey M, Wilding R & Baldassar L (2021) Key developments and future prospects in the study of transnational families, Research Handbook on the Sociology of the Family (pp. 439-451).
Kilkey M (2018) Transnational Families: Opportunities and Constraints for Caring Across Borders In Kapella O, Schneider N & Rost H (Ed.), Familie Bildung Migration View this article in WRRO
Kilkey M & Palenga-Möllenbeck E (2016) Conclusions, Family Life in an Age of Migration and Mobility (pp. 337-350). Palgrave Macmillan UK
Kilkey M & Palenga-Möllenbeck E (2016) Introduction: Family Life in an Age of Migration and Mobility: Introducing a Global and Family Life-Course Perspective, Family Life in an Age of Migration and Mobility (pp. 1-18). Palgrave Macmillan UK
Kim G & Kilkey M (2016) Marriage Migration Policy as a Social Reproduction System: The South Korean Experience, Family Life in an Age of Migration and Mobility (pp. 137-161). Palgrave Macmillan UK
Baldassar L, Kilkey M, Merla L & Wilding R (2016) Transnational families, care and wellbeing, Handbook of Migration and Health (pp. 477-497). View this article in WRRO
Kilkey M (2016) Migrants and Asylum Seekers In Alcock P (Ed.), Students Companion to Social Policy, 5th Edition
Kilkey M (2015) Migrant men and fathering: the circulation of fatherly care within the families of recent Polish male migrants in London In Baldassar L & Merla L (Ed.), Transnational Familes, Migration and the Circulation of Care: understanding mobility and absence in family life Routledge View this article in WRRO
Kilkey M (2015) Getting tough on the family-migration route: a blurring of the 'them' and 'us' in anti-immigration rhetoric In Foster L (Ed.), In Defence of Welfare 2 Policy Press
Baldassar L, Kilkey M, Merla L & Wilding R (2014) Transnational Families In Treas J, Scott J & Richards M (Ed.), The Wiley-Blackwell Companion to the Sociology of Families (pp. 155-175). John Wiley & Sons
Kilkey M, Perrons D, Plomien A, Hondagneu-Sotelo P & Ramirez H (2013) Researching Men in the Relationship between Gender, Migration and Domestic Work, Gender, Migration and Domestic Work (pp. 35-64). Palgrave Macmillan UK
Kilkey M, Perrons D, Plomien A, Hondagneu-Sotelo P & Ramirez H (2013) Gender, Migration and Domestic Work: An Introduction, Gender, Migration and Domestic Work (pp. 1-19). Palgrave Macmillan UK
Kilkey M, Perrons D, Plomien A, Hondagneu-Sotelo P & Ramirez H (2013) Gender Identity and Work: Migrant Domestic Work and Masculinity, Gender, Migration and Domestic Work (pp. 149-177). Palgrave Macmillan UK
Kilkey M, Perrons D, Plomien A, Hondagneu-Sotelo P & Ramirez H (2013) Connecting Men in the International Division of Domestic Work: The New ‘Father Time-Bind’, Global Divisions between Men and Gender Inequalities, Gender, Migration and Domestic Work (pp. 94-121). Palgrave Macmillan UK
Kilkey M, Perrons D, Plomien A, Hondagneu-Sotelo P & Ramirez H (2013) Migrants and Male Domestic Work in the UK: The Rise of the ‘Polish Handyman’, Gender, Migration and Domestic Work (pp. 65-93). Palgrave Macmillan UK
Kilkey M, Perrons D, Plomien A, Hondagneu-Sotelo P & Ramirez H (2013) Globalization, Migration and Domestic Work: Gendering the Debate, Gender, Migration and Domestic Work (pp. 20-34). Palgrave Macmillan UK
Kilkey M (2012) Introduction, Social Policy Review 24 (pp. 1-12).
Holden C & Kilkey M (2011) Symposium on the coalition government, Social Policy Review 23: Analysis and Debate in Social Policy, 2011 (pp. 1-6).
Baldassar L () Transnational families in the era of global mobility (pp. 431-443). Edward Elgar Publishing
Baldassar L () Transnational Families, Migration and the Circulation of Care Routledge

Book reviews

Kilkey M (2008) Disabled fathers. Disability, Pregnancy & Parenthood International, 62.
Kilkey M (2007) Citizenship in an enlarging Europe: from dream to awakening. J GENDER STUD, 16(3), 300-301.
Kilkey M (2006) The politics of sexual harassment: A comparative study of the United States, the European Union, and Germany. SOC POLICY ADMIN, 40(5), 565-567.
Kilkey M (2006) Welfare and families in Europe. JOURNAL OF SOCIAL POLICY, 35, 325-326.
Kilkey M (2001) The gender division of welfare. The impact of the British and German welfare states. JOURNAL OF EUROPEAN SOCIAL POLICY, 11(3), 281-281.
Kilkey M (1998) Single mothers in an international context: Mothers or workers?. WOMENS STUDIES INTERNATIONAL FORUM, 21(1), 127-128.
Kilkey M (1997) Women and the European labour markets - vanDoorneHuiskes,A, vanHoof,J, Roelofs,E. JOURNAL OF EUROPEAN SOCIAL POLICY, 7(2), 163-165.
Kilkey M (1997) Women of the European Union. The politics of work and daily life - GarciaRamon,MD, Monk,J. JOURNAL OF EUROPEAN SOCIAL POLICY, 7(2), 163-165.
KILKEY M (1995) FAREWELL TO THE FAMILY - PUBLIC-POLICY AND FAMILY BREAKDOWN IN BRITAIN AND THE USA - MORGAN,P. JOURNAL OF SOCIAL POLICY, 24, 467-469.

Reports

Kilkey M, Lunt N & Martinez-Perez A (2017) British Medical Association's Cohort Study of 2006 Medical Graduates: Longitudinal Analysis of Career Trajectories View this article in WRRO
Kilkey M (2007) Disabled Fathers: towards a research agenda

Website content

Lewis H, Kilkey M, Walsh J & Ryan L 'Not one of you any longer': EU Nationals' Brexit uncertainty and mistrust..

Research group: Majella is Co-Director of the Migration Research Group in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Sheffield. The MRG has over 100 members from across the Faculty. Its approach is informed by a broad understanding of migration encompassing motives for migration, effects on sending and destination countries, as well as the broad range of impacts (legal, social, economic and political) and experiences of migration in various geographical regions.

Grants

2020-23 European Commission H2020

Co-I on the EMpowerment and Integration of Migrant Youth (MIMY) project, leading the University of Sheffield team (Award = €2,999,998; PI = Prof Birte Nienaber, University of Luxembourg)

2019-22 European Commission H2020

Co-I on the Migration, Integration and Governance Research Centre (MIGREC) capacity-building project (Award = €799,919; PI = Prof Natalija Perisic, University of Belgrade).

2019-20 Worldwide Universities Network

PI on the research collaboration Migrants’ decision-making in the context of shifting migration regimes (Award = £31,640).

2017-21 Economic and Social Research Council

Co-I on the Sustainable Care Programme, co-leading the work package - Care ‘in’ and ‘out of’ place: towards sustainable well-being in mobile and diverse contexts. (Award = £2.54 million; PI = Prof Sue Yeandle).

2017-19 Noble Foundation

Co-I on the project Modern Poland: Migration and Transformations (Award = £29,760; PI = Prof Louise Ryan).

2016-19 European Commission

University of Sheffield PI on the MIGRATE Jean Monnet project (Award = €374,371 Euro; Project Co-ordinator = SEERC, Thessaloniki).

2016 British Medical Association

PI on the project Analysis of the BMA Cohort Study of 2006 Medical Graduates (Award = £38,720)

2016 World Universities Network

Co-I on the project Hidden Voices: Exploring the health experiences of children who migrate (Award = £20,000; PI = Dr Jill Thompson).

2013-14 White Rose University Consortium

PI on the Research Network Migration and Economic Crisis: the experiences of Brits at home and abroad (Award = £10724)

2008-9 Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

PI on the project Situating men within global care chains: the migrant handyman phenomenon (Award = £98,000)

2005-7 Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)

Co-I on the Seminar Series Gender, work and life in the new global economy (Award = £15,000; PI = Prof. Diane Perrons).

Teaching activities: Majella current convenes the department’s postgraduate taught programme dissertation modules.

Postgraduate Supervision: Majella has supervised ten PhD students to completion. Topics previously and currently supervised include: transnational care networks, young unaccompanied asylum seekers and transitions to adulthood, Roma and experiences of European citizenship, women’s experiences of trafficking, UK asylum and refugee policy, migrant care workers in Saudi Arabia and diaspora engagement. Majella is interested in supervising PhDs relating to the research areas listed on her Research page.