Akinyemi, Ismaila Tunde (2025)
Subject Perspective: History
The Intersection of Racial History and Xenophobia : Social Economic Consequences For Nigerians in South Africa
Post-apartheid South Africa’s vision of a “Rainbow Nation” struggles against the reality of xenophobia, a hostility toward foreigners driven by social, economic, and political factors. Tied to unemployment, poverty, and historic racial tensions, xenophobia manifests in exclusionary attitudes and violence. African migrants, especially Nigerians, face discrimination, extrajudicial killings, and attacks on businesses.
The first xenophobic attacks in 1995 escalated into widespread violence in 2008, leaving numerous migrants displaced, injured, and killed. In South Africa, xenophobia reflects fears that foreigners threaten local identity and opportunities, worsened by socioeconomic disparity and historic violent protests. Increased migration intensifies tensions, prompting calls for research from a Nigerian perspective to better understand the causes and impacts of xenophobia. Efforts to address these biases must consider their broad manifestations in barriers to education, health care, employment, and basic services. Qualitative interviews sourced from selected newspapers and other online publications spanning 2008 to 2024, including the researcher’s owner interview, analysed the experiences of Nigerians who have survived xenophobia to provide insights into its root causes and consequences. Data were analysed through semantic analysis.
Recommendations include calls to the South African government to actively condemn xenophobia, promote social cohesion, and establish forums for addressing public grievances. South Africa should host antixenophobia events, while the Nigerian government must enhance living standards and protect citizens abroad through collaboration and robust security measures. By tackling inequality and fostering inclusivity, both governments can mitigate xenophobia’s severe socio-economic and psychological consequences, paving the way for tolerance and unity.
Araoye, Faridah (2025)
Subject Perspective: Gender Studies
Understanding Social Exclusion and the Reporting Patterns of Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria: A Thematic Newspaper Analysis
Bankole, Joseph (2025)
Substance Misuse: Labelling, Power, and Language
Misusing psychoactive substances can create a cycle of problems. Apart from the harmful physical, social, psychological, and economic outcomes relating to substance misuse, the problem of social exclusion may be inevitable. Similarly, another dimension in the cycle of problems concerning the misuse of psychoactive substances is the problems inherent in substance-related treatments. Reports indicate that more than half a billion people globally are suffering from untreated problems due to the misuse of psychoactive substances. Part of the problem is due to a lack of or limited access to quality and ethical treatments for substance misusers. However, another problem is the apathy of substance misusers to treatment-seeking. Thus, to contribute to the multifaceted approaches geared towards breaking the cycle of problems associated with psychoactive substance misuse, this thesis aims to analyse the problem of apathy towards treatment-seeking.
In this thesis, my focus is on the problematic use of language and unbalanced power relations of healthcare providers within the client-provider relationships concerning substance misuse treatment as a contributing factor to the problem of social exclusion. My position in this study is that stigmatising language use, reflecting unbalanced power dynamics in the client-provider relationships regarding substance misuse treatments, is a factor in the social exclusion of individuals with substance misuse problems. Thus, the underlying assumption of my analysis is that the stigmatisation and the social exclusion of substance misusers are social constructs that can be reconstructed.
Therefore, in this thesis, the social exclusion of individuals with substance-related problems will be analysed within a broader theoretical framework encompassing the capabilities approach theories and social constructionism from the perspective of the labelling theory. This thesis will analyse treatment denial as the social exclusion of individuals with substance problems as a deprivation of their capability to participate fully in the social, political, and economic life of society, using the capabilities approach theories of Sen and Nussbaum. Additionally, this study will analyse what I present as the constructive force of language use in power dynamics concerning healthcare providers in substance treatments with insights from five philosophers of language and power: Wittgenstein, Austin, Butler, Foucault, and Bourdieu. My argument in this study is that if the problems of inappropriate language and the stigmatising attitudes of healthcare providers reflecting unbalanced power dynamics are addressed as a determinant in substance-related treatment apathy, then the negative consequences of substance misuse and the social exclusion related to them may be reduced. Thus, this study focused on the changing perceptions relating to psychoactive substance-related problems as reflected in changes in language and treatments directed at addressing them due to scientific developments relating to the understanding of psychoactive substances, their usage, and their effects on humans.
Dedar, Shah Mohammed (2025)
Subject Perspective: Gender Studies
Inclusion or Exclusion: An Intersectional Study of Social Safety Net Programs and Policies for Older Women with Disabilities in Bangladesh
This study explores the accessibility gaps and intersectional challenges faced by older women with disabilities in Bangladesh’s social safety net programs, particularly focusing on the Old Age Allowance, Disability Allowance, and Widow Allowance. The research aims to understand the exclusion of this vulnerable group from essential support services. It analyzes how multiple layers of disadvantage, including age, gender, and disability, impact their access to social safety net programs. Previous studies have highlighted the lack of disaggregated data, inadequate benefits, and structural barriers that marginalize older people with disabilities, but they often overlook the intersectional dimensions of exclusion and the effectiveness of existing policies. This study addresses these gaps by employing a qualitative research approach, including policy analysis and secondary data review, to identify the key barriers to inclusion and evaluate the alignment of Bangladesh’s social safety net programs and policies with international standards, such as the UNCRPD. The findings reveal significant policy and implementation gaps, particularly in beneficiary selection, data collection, and accessibility, which contribute to the continued exclusion of older women with disabilities from the benefits they are entitled to. This study emphasizes the need for inclusive policy reforms, better data collection practices, and the active participation of older women with disabilities in decision-making to promote greater social inclusion and equality. This study also calls for universal social safety nets for older women with disabilities, the need for Braille accessibility in essential documents, improved physical accessibility, and home-based services, along with a nationwide disability identification program. The implications of this research are crucial for advancing disability rights and improving the effectiveness of social protection programs in Bangladesh.
Demir, Mahmut (2025)
Statelessness, Rightlessness and Social Exclusion: Analyzing the Experiences of Kurdish Asylum Seekers in Europe
Dhakal, Dipak Raj (2025)
Subject Perspective: Study of Religion
Christian Dalits’ experiences of caste-based discrimination in Protestant churches in Nepal: A study on social exclusion perspectives
This thesis explores the lived experiences of eight Christian Dalits in Protestant churches in Nepal regarding caste-based discrimination by high-caste Christians and a church system and structure dominated by Hindu caste hierarchies. Several studies have already been conducted on caste-based discrimination and untouchability in Nepal, including the marginalization and segregation faced by Dalits in general and secular and Hindu Dalits in particular; they have revealed that the primary reason Hindu Dalits convert to Christianity is to avoid caste-based discrimination and to pursue the ideals of equality, social justice, and inclusion. However, the caste-based discriminatory issue of Christian Dalits within the Protestant Church through the lens of social exclusion is an under-investigated topic. This study is grounded in a phenomenological research methodology and employs a qualitative research design with a semi-structured interviewing technique and a thematic analysis approach. It utilizes the multidimensional and relational approaches to social exclusion theories and perspectives, along with discrimination theories, to examine, analyze, and test the issues of this research. As the key findings, this study identifies ten distinct forms and patterns of caste-based discrimination, for instance, spatial and social segregation, socioeconomic inequality and marginalization, psychological isolation and exclusion, and identity loss by changing caste, systemic institutionalized bias, both directly and indirectly, which ruptures social bonds and relations of Christian Dalits by blocking full participation, access to information, resources, sociability, recognition, and identity, eroding self-respect and perpetuating their capability failure, poverty, and unemployment within their churches. Despite numerous challenges, including a lack of visionary leadership, awareness, and consciousness; caste stereotypes; proselytization; discriminatory systems and structures; false teaching; and a lack of contextual biblical pedagogy, this study finds out the five principles of the Dalit liberation theological approach for liberation, solidarity, salvation, and empowerment of Christian Dalits as significant remedies. It further recommends some strategies for addressing caste-based discrimination in Protestant churches in Nepal, such as inter-caste communication and dialogue, localizing and contextualizing biblical teaching from a Dalit perspective, reforming high-caste-dominated ecclesiology, implementing inclusive, equitable, and just church policies to ensure Dalit identity, dignity, rights, and freedom, and ensuring the material and spiritual needs and aspirations of Christian Dalits within the church. Finally, the findings of this study lay the groundwork for upcoming studies that will examine issues such as comparative analysis of inclusion and exclusion of Dalit believers based on intersectionality of caste, class, and gender, interfaith relations, the quantitative impacts of caste oppression within the church, caste discrimination in other denominations, and the scope and applicability of Dalit liberation theology in Nepalese churches.
Dhital, Raju (2025)
Subject Perspective: Study of Religion
Hinduism in Diaspora : A Study on the Experiences of Nepali Hindus Living in Finland
This study studies the religious life of the five Nepali Hindus living in Finland and focuses on how these Nepali Hindus practice and maintain their faith in Finland. It also examines the issues of possible social exclusion experienced by these members of Nepali Hindu diaspora based on their religious and cultural identity. The study uses semi structural interviews for data collection. This study discovers that despite being in foreign land, these Nepali Hindus have maintained connection to the religious traditions of their home country, Nepal. This connection manifests in their practices of festivals and rituals in Finland with their family, relatives as well as friends. Although it is impossible to conduct all the religious traditions and practices in Finland due to social, economic as well as cultural challenges, these Nepali Hindus have tried their best to practice these traditions as much as possible. In this process they have brought some changes and modification in the ways of observing their faith traditions according to the situation of Finland. Practicing Hinduism in Finland has become a significant identity marker for them and a way of preserving their cultural and religious heritage in a foreign soil in a collective way. In this regard, there are differences in the way of practicing Hinduism in Nepal and Finland, but the attachment towards the faith traditions of these people seems alike. Regarding the issue of marginalization and exclusion, despite being member of a minority religion in Finland, these migrants have not experienced any kinds of discrimination in the Finnish society based on their religious identity, but they have pointed out some of the difficulties regarding language barriers, employment opportunities as well as some cultural differences as a migrant which has hindered them in social, cultural and economic integration in the Finnish society.
Ezeliora, Ndidiamaka; Chakma, Parila (2025)
Subject Perspective: Gender Studies
The Social Exclusion of aging women in beauty conversations on social media : A comparative content analysis of Bangladesh and Nigeria.
This is a non-traditional joint master’s thesis written by “Ndidiamaka Ezeliora” and “Parila Chakma” in a series of blog posts.
This Master’s thesis investigates how beauty influencers contribute to the social exclusion of aging women on social media in Nigeria and Bangladesh. It offers a thorough examination of how youth-centered beauty standards pushed by influencers help to make aging women invisible and marginalized online. The study draws on the frameworks of Deep/Severe social exclusion and the Multidimensional perspective of social exclusion to understand the layered ways in which aging women are excluded from digital beauty discourses. Through visual and content analysis, this thesis investigates the representations of beauty promoted by influencers and how these emphasize narrow ideals that prioritize youth, overlooking aging identities. The findings reveal that influencers overwhelmingly focus on youthful beauty, rarely engage with representations of aging, and when they do, they often portray aging in negative or corrective terms. The study concludes that addressing the exclusion of aging women requires structural changes within digital platforms, influencer practices, and broader beauty industries to create more inclusive spaces where aging is recognized as a valued and visible part of life.
Hasan, Imran (2025)
Subject Perspective: Gender Studies
Social Exclusion of Women in Climate Change Adaptation Strategies: A Case Study of Women in Bangladesh
Määttä, Anna-Leea (2025)
Subject Perspective: Gender Studies
In the Shadow of the Mill: Social Exclusion of the Fatherless Children in Fray Bentos, Uruguay
This thesis sheds light on a phenomenon that has long remained invisible: the lives of the “Children of Botnia” in Fray Bentos, Uruguay. The purpose of this study was to examine the lives of fatherless children born during the UPM Pulp Mill project. These are children born to local women and foreign workers who came to the region during the construction of the Pulp Mill. This thesis was undertaken in response to a clear gap in the existing literature and research. The social exclusion of fatherless children resulting from transnational labour migration has received little scholarly attention.
The primary research material for this study is an article by investigative journalist Guillermo Garat, which presents a narrative about the children. Secondary sources include Finnish articles on the topic and official reports from UPM. This is a qualitative study aimed at exploring the phenomenon in greater depth and breadth. The main research method was Qualitative Document Analysis (QDA). The analysis identified three central themes in the way the lives of children were portrayed: economic instability, social stigma and isolation, and their invisibility in media and institutional narratives. These themes emerged consistently across the primary material. In contrast, the secondary sources offered additional context: UPM reports emphasised positive economic impacts, while Finnish media articles focused on environmental conflicts and broader discussions about environmental challenges. This contrast highlights the limited visibility of children’s experiences within dominant institutional and media narratives.
The significance of this research lies in its effort to make visible a silenced and largely forgotten phenomenon. This research reveals a broader patterns shaped by neocolonial power relations, gendered responsibility, and structural invisibility. The thesis reveals how narratives of progress from the Global North often obscure the human consequences felt most deeply in the Global South. This research challenges dominant narratives of development and compels a rethinking of social responsibility in transnational contexts.
Meche, Bhuwan Lal (2025)
Subject Perspective: Study of Religion
The Social Exclusion of the Meche Community in Nepal: An Overview
Social exclusion marginalises suppressed communities. Therefore, it is essential to address the factors contributing to exclusion and combat discrimination to improve the livelihoods of disadvantaged groups. This study examines how the Meche informants experienced social exclusion due to mainstream communities and government policies regarding access to resources and materials in Nepali society. This research focuses on access to education, employment, and healthcare, as well as the sociocultural and political participation of the Meche informants. Moreover, this research studies the consequences of exclusion and the perception of change in their current situation.
This study employs a qualitative method, utilising semi-structured interviews. The data was collected from seven informants from the Meche community of Jhapa, Nepal, on Zoom. This research employs purposive sampling and applies thematic analysis. Furthermore, the study applies the social exclusion theory, incorporating the multidimensional, relational, and dynamic perspectives of social exclusion to understand the multifaceted nature of exclusion faced by the Meche informants.
Results indicate that Meche informants have limited access to education, employment, and health care services. They experience cultural erosion and political marginalisation in Nepal. Additionally, dynamic power relations driven by higher castes, state policies, and the caste system have further marginalised the Meche informants. However, some improvements in their livelihood have been observed through government support. Some students have received scholarships for diploma nursing programs and secured employment in hospitals, while the quota system has improved parliamentary representation through proportional representation. Social security benefits have supported livelihoods. However, the Meche informants still faced challenges in accessing higher education, securing government-sector jobs, receiving healthcare services, preserving the Meche language, and improving their livelihoods.
Mukwakwami, Sibusisiwe Varaidzo (2025)
Subject Perspective: History
“We are hungry, we need employment, we need our own king, our ancestors are unhappy”: The Multidimensional Social Exclusion Of the Doma people in Mariga, Kanyemba, in the Mbire District of Northern Zimbabwe
Research on marginalisation in Zimbabwe has given significant attention to the exclusion of white Zimbabweans in the Fast Track Land Reform (2000) and also of the Ndebele ethnic group, culminated in the Gukurahundi massacres (1983-1987) (Alexander, 2006; Eppel, 2004; Moyo & Yeros, 2005). Both cases have led to Zimbabwe receiving pariah status from the international human rights community. However, the Doma people, are a severely marginalised group in Zimbabwe for several generations, have received minimal attention. The Doma have also self-isolated, contributing to their obscurity in the dominant narratives that critique governance and human rights in Zimbabwe (Nyamnjoh, 2006).
The research on the Doma people, which has mushroomed in the last ten years, has focused on the livelihood exclusionary effects of conservation programs such as Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM), locally known as CAMPFIRE. A research gap exists where no study has critically examined how the Doma themselves articulate their exclusion and that looks at their exclusion from a multidimensional social exclusion perspective. Jani, Webb, and de Wit (2023) attempt to consider this gap but fail to use the theoretical framework of social exclusion. This thesis fills this gap by foregrounding the Doma’s voice through semi-structured interviews and a focus group discussion, showing that they experience a multidimensional form of social exclusion — political, economic, and social.
Politically, the Doma claim of self-determination was frustrated by foreign governance by a king of a different ethnic group (the Chikunda king) (Nyahuma, 2020). Jani et al. (2023) argue that economically, the Doma have experienced land displacement and restrictive conservation regulations, which criminalise their traditional livelihoods without sustainable alternatives. Socially, the Doma are treated as second-class citizens, portrayed as inferior and uncivilised; views which further reinforce their exclusion from the mainstream society (Helliker, Matanzima, & Chadambuka, 2022).
This thesis argues that political exclusion is the foundational exclusion that leads to all other exclusions of the Doma. This political exclusion safeguards the state’s economic interests in the Kanyemba region. The state protects its economic interests through conservation and resource control (Fairhead, Leach, & Scoones, 2012). Concerning safeguarding the state’s economic interests in the Kanyemba region and its exclusionary effects on the Doma, in this thesis, one chapter is dedicated to interrogating the state’s refusal to grant the Doma indigenous status.
Qualitative research methods, primarily semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions held on 27 August 2024, center the Doma voices in this study. The following theories frame the analysis of this thesis: social exclusion theory, the capability deprivation theory, and the dependency theory. Silver (1994) states that the Social Exclusion Theory allows us to examine the systemic barriers restricting Doma’s access to participation and power. According to Sen (2000), the Capability Deprivation theory reveals how legal marginalisation has eroded the agency of the Doma people. Finally, the dependency theory (Frank, 1966) provides a valuable lens on how the economic systems and governance structures enacted in the Kanyemba region sustain the dependence and vulnerability of the Doma.
One important finding from the study was that the Doma are not passive in their experience of marginalisation as is the case with other indigenous groups as Scott (1985) suggests. The Doma’s resistance manifests in illegal hunting and foraging in protected areas. These actions are not considered illegal by the Doma but rather a continuation of their cultural heritage and important for survival. Therefore, the Doma continue to try to preserve their distinct culture and self-advocate for legal recognition as an indigenous group. In addition, many of the Doma resist using religious rhetoric that ancestral displeasure with foreign rule explains their current hardships and their state of dependence (Matema & Andersson, 2015). The Doma assert their autonomy through resistance, self-isolation, and refusal to assimilate.
Ultimately, political exclusion is the foundational exclusion that leads to all the other exclusions in the multidimensional social exclusion of the Doma. Therefore, this study recommends that the Doma gain political recognition, representation, and Indigenous status, which are critical to mitigating their exclusion.
Nuamah, Ishmael (2025)
Subject Perspective: Study of Religion
A phenomenological study of LGBTQI+ exclusionary experiences: A multidimensional analysis of the social exclusion of “supi supi’’ and “trumu’’ trumu’’ individuals in Ghana’s Presbyterian churches in Accra.
Religious justification and prejudice against LGBTQI+ practices have currently been on an upsurge in Ghana’s discourse on LGBTQI+ acceptance and rejection. Many religious groups use their beliefs and practices to restrict acceptable sexual relations and behaviours to traditional male-female relations, thereby discriminating against LGBTQI+ persons who tend to deviate from this pattern. One denomination that has a firm stance against LGBTQI+ is the Presbyterian Church of Ghana. As a result, individuals who identify as LGBTQI+ are viewed as deviating from what is interpreted as God’s original design for human relationships—a belief that many church members value. Using a narrative qualitative research approach and drawing on multidimensional frameworks, complemented by the concept of the Other and othering, this study brings to light the social exclusion experienced by LGBTQI+ individuals aged 18 to 29 and the biblical principles sustained by the Presbyterian Church members in discrimination against LGBTQI+ persons. Furthermore, it asserts that religious beliefs and cultural practices are deeply reinforced in all sections of Ghanaian society and that the discriminatory stance and exclusionary attitudes of the Presbyterian Church towards LGBTQI+ individuals are mirrored in the larger Ghanaian society, further compounding the multidimensional disadvantages of LGBTQI+ exclusion and placing them in a vulnerable position in their daily interactions.
Omatsola, Temisan (2025)
Subject Perspective: Study of Religion
Separated but Not Divorced : A Phenomenological Study of Six Separated Catholic Women in Nigeria
Separated Catholic women experience various peculiar challenges related to their marital status and faith. In this study, I draw further attention to their challenges, how they make sense of their marital status, and how they want their lives to go. This research uses a textual analysis tool based on the phenological study of six separated Catholic women in Nigeria. The objectives are related to the impact of Catholic beliefs on the respondents’ decision to separate instead of a formal divorce and examining the relationship between stigma and social exclusion in the respondents’ lives. The findings derived from the research included how Catholic faith and commitment influenced separation over divorce. This study highlights diverse understandings of the separated status among these women. On one hand, their adherence to Catholic principles significantly influences their decision to avoid divorce. On the other hand, the participants acknowledged that divorce might be a viable option under certain circumstances, such as a lack of love and support within the family. The research also revealed that these women possess a clear vision of the direction they want their lives to take. However, their experiences are marked by underlying frustration, driven in part by the fear of a progressive stigma associated with divorce. This stigma has led to inward social exclusion and outward manifestation of exclusion. The inward experiences are not directly observable.
However, the women’s responses illustrate how these internal struggles contribute to external forms of exclusion. Additionally, the study reviews how separated women navigate social exclusion and stigma through the Catholic support of their faith and by avoidance of difficult situations. I find these two means of navigation have the underlying passive exclusion and ostracism features, which I discuss in the study.
The importance of studying the lived experience of the group in this research illustrates being separated as a woman and a Catholic reveals different challenges than being divorced. It also sheds light on the complexity of stigma and social exclusion.
Opaade, Abiodun Serif (2025)
Subject Perspective: Study of Religion
A critical analysis of newspaper narratives on christian persecution & exclusion in northern Nigeria (2019-2023)
This study critically analyses the mainstream newspaper narratives of Christian Persecution in Northern Nigeria and how the chosen newspapers described and represented the conflict during the second term administration of President Muhammadu Buhari (2019–2023). Against a backdrop of escalating religious violence perpetrated by groups such as Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and armed Fulani militias, and consequently, the claim of persecution. This research aims to examine the newspaper narratives and multidimensional factors leading to this violence. Through content analysis of three mainstream Nigerian newspapers, The Punch, Daily Trust and This Day, chosen for their regional balance and wider reach, this research seeks to provide a critical and nuanced analysis of the newspapers’ coverage on religious violence in Northern Nigeria. It explores newspaper articles, editorials, security and religious reports. The selected newspapers were qualitatively analysed to assess how they describe, frame, the tone, and sources of attribution. The research findings reveal a significant difference in the portrayal of Christian persecution base on regional location of the newspaper, sources and political influence: southern-based newspapers like Punch tended to explicitly acknowledge and frame such incidents as religiously motivated, northernbased newspapers like Daily Trust and pro-government outlets often downplayed, generalized or minimized the religious dimensions. Therefore, this research contributes to a global call for religious freedom and argues that Nigerian media coverage and narratives of Christian persecution were inconsistent, fragmented, and often politically influenced, leading to underreporting of targeted religious violence. It recommends investigative journalism and a more balanced approach, greater reliance on independent sources, and media accountability in conflict reporting to reflect the complex realities of religious violence in Nigeria.
Otohinoyi, Justina (2025)
Subject Perspective: Gender Studies
Perceptions of homosexuality in Nigeria: A phenomenological study of five Nigerians in Finland
Individuals migrating from developing countries to Western societies may experience shifts in their beliefs and attitudes toward homosexual people. Limited studies have focused on migrants’ perceptions after relocating from one country to another, particularly from a social exclusion lens. Therefore, this study sought to investigate migrant perception both during their time living in Nigeria and after moving to Finland through a qualitative approach, focusing on the perspectives of Nigerians residing in Finland. The sample consists of five individuals who represent a range of education, interests, and employment backgrounds. The qualitative data was collected from the interview sessions, and this study revealed that Nigerians living in Finland have a better understanding of Homosexuality. This study showed that the perception of Nigerians of homosexual people have changed after relocating to Finland. This study also revealed factors related to the social exclusion of homosexual people in Nigeria, such as culture, religion, policy, and law. It can be concluded that there is a change in perception, beliefs, and attitudes towards homosexual people. It is recommended that there is a need to organize seminars or workshops and sensitization programs that would foster understanding and empathy to promote the rights of people to be able to live freely as human irrespective of the identity they chose to be recognized with, especially for migrants that moved from a country where it is not legalized to a country where it is legal entity.
Puja, Bhowmick (2025)
Subject Perspective: Gender Studies
“If I Were a ‘Finnish Woman’, He Could Not Insult Me Publicly”: An Intersectional Analysis on the Experience of Social Isolation and Integration Among Bangladeshi Migrant Women in Finland
This study explores the intersectional experiences of social isolation and integration among Bangladeshi migrant women in Finland, focusing on how their gender, ethnicity, religion, and migration status contribute to compounded exclusion. Despite an increasing body of literature on migration, few studies have specifically addressed the complex, intersecting identities of Bangladeshi women within the Finnish context. Previous research has largely focused on economic integration, often overlooking the social, cultural, and psychological dimensions of migration. Moreover, while migration studies emphasize the general challenges faced by immigrant populations, they fail to address how these challenges uniquely affect women from non-Western backgrounds. This research aims to fill this gap by analyzing the impact of social isolation in the integration process of Bangladeshi migrant women, using qualitative methods, including semi-structured interviews with Bangladeshi women living in Finland. The findings reveal that the intersection of multiple marginalized identities leads to heightened experiences of exclusion, which in turn delays or complicates their integration into Finnish society. These findings underscore the need for gender-sensitive, intersectional approaches to migration policy and highlight the importance of social integration programs that go beyond economic integration. The implications of this study are significant for policymakers, social workers, and academics seeking to develop more inclusive strategies for the integration of immigrant women.
Shamsuddoha, Md (2025)
Subject Perspective: Study of Religion
Space Discrimination in Public Universities in Bangladesh : Investigating How Secularism Contributes to the Social Exclusion of Students of Different Religions.
This thesis explores the experiences of five public university students from three different religions in Bangladesh. It examines their experience regarding religious identities and practices at institutions that are secular but politically controlled. Based on qualitative interviews, it examines students’ perspectives at a time when scholars questioned whether Bangladesh, under the secular and democratic party, the Awami League, was becoming a one-party state. Universities, as institutions, traditionally serve as secular spaces for the practice of free thought and diverse beliefs. However, political control influences how secular institutions regulate space to practice different beliefs on campuses.
In this backdrop, this thesis analyzes how students of different religions experience their religious identities and practices on secular but politically controlled campuses. It discusses secularism and social exclusion as forms of capability deprivation through the theoretical lenses of Talal Asad and Amartya Sen. The findings indicate that students’ perspectives on secularism are ambiguous and inconsistent. Despite their definition of respecting all religions, their practical experiences demonstrate a different reality. Their experiences show that space discrimination manifests in all three dimensions—physical, social, and symbolic. There is also an indication of social exclusion limiting their ability to perform what they value.
Yang, Xinxian (2025)
Subject Perspective: History
Multidimensional Study of Social Exclusion : Rural-to-Urban Migrants in China Post Reform and Opening-up
This paper critically examines the multidimensional mechanisms of social exclusion faced by rural-to-urban migrants in China since the 1978 Reform and Opening-up process, and shows how the interplay of institutional design, market logic and cultural power has systematically reproduced structural inequalities.
Through policy analysis and theoretical deconstruction over time, the study finds that: Hukou, the household registration system, alienates citizenship into governance resources through flexible control strategies (temporary residence permits and pointsbased settlement) and creates institutional suspension of migrants under the framework of “semi-openness”. Economic exclusion is embedded in labour market segmentation and welfare deprivation, reducing migrant workers to “low-cost factors of production”. Cultural exclusion, through identity stigmatisation and symbolic violence, naturalises disenfranchisement in a civilisational gap that dissolves migrants’ claims to subjectivity. The triple mechanism of exclusion does not exist in isolation, but forms an oppressive network that reproduces synergies – institutional exclusion provides the basis for legitimacy, economic exploitation reinforces dependency, and cultural violence dissolves the sense of resistance.
The study further points out that current policy reforms focused on technological adjustments, which avoid the core contradiction of the urban-rural rights gap, only achieve a refined improvement in the mechanisms of exclusion. Fundamental change requires a reconstruction of the developmentalist paradigm that recognizes the value of migrants as complete subjects of rights and implements systemic transformations in the distribution of public services, the protection of labor rights and cultural empowerment. The theoretical contribution of this paper is to break through the onedimensional analysis and reveal the dynamic interactive logic of multidimensional exclusion, providing a critical framework for the study of urbanization in developing countries and shedding light on the practice of rights resistance in the era of technological governance.