Lori Presents Ongoing Book Project and Discusses Student Research Collaboration
On February 1, 2023, Noora Lori, Assistant Professor of International Relations at Boston University’s Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies, presented her latest research project and discussed the process of working with a team of Pardee School student researchers at a Foreign Affairs Open House.
Lori noted at the top of the session that her ongoing research project, titled “Passport Power: Global Mobility Hierarchies,” was done with a number of Pardee School students. The book project explores how time is used in migration governance and how the speed of cross-border movements is representative of a country’s migration enforcement. Her research is also exploring the idea of “passport power” – on a basic level, how many countries your passport allows you to travel to without being individually vetter – as well as how states can increase the value of their passport and unlock additional access to cross-border movement. In exploring the rules of engagement for “passport power,” she developed the concept of mobility diplomacy and how countries, particularly those in the Global South, can ensure their citizens are able to travel freely.
After her presentation, Lori opened the floor to her research team to comment on what it was like to work on such a large project. Her graduate assistant Ian Rollins (MAIA ’23) noted that it’s more important to be interested and passionate about the subject rather than have a background in research in order to be successful. Both then fielded audience questions on graduate assistantships at the Pardee School, the difference between working with MA and Ph.D. students, and more.
The Foreign Affairs Open House connects prospective students directly with representatives at top university programs in international affairs, public policy, diplomacy, and political science. It affords graduate school candidates the ability to explore school program information and opportunities, engage in one-on-one text and video conversations with university representatives, and see presentations from faculty representing their institution.
A recording of Lori’s presentation can be viewed here.
Noora Lori’s research broadly focuses on the political economy of migration, the development of security institutions and international migration control, and the establishment and growth of national identity systems. She is particularly interested in the study of temporary worker programs and racial hierarchies in comparative perspective. Regionally, her work examines the shifting population movements accompanying state formation in the Persian Gulf, expanding the study of Middle East politics to include historic and new connections with East Africa and the Indian subcontinent. Lori is the Founding Director of the Pardee School Initiative on Forced Migration and Human Trafficking. Read more about Professor Lori on her faculty profile.