Final Report Summary - MUSLIMFRANCECANADA (Reception and Integration of Muslims in France, Quebec and English Canada)
The objectives are indicated in the Project Abstract (from Annex I of the Grant Agreement, “Description of Work”, as follows
This project compares the experiences of Muslim minorities in three contexts: France, Quebec, and English Canada. The objective is to assess the extent of integration of Muslim minorities in each setting, to identify key similarities and differences, to find the most important reasons for any differences, and to relate findings to previous research and public discourse in each setting. The three-way comparison helps illuminate a number of issues of significance to current debates on immigration and multiculturalism, including the role of public attitudes, national integration ‘models’ and advantages of traditional ‘nations of immigration’ over recent European experience, and language and culture. The theoretical framework takes account of four sets of factors: minority characteristics, mainstream attitudes and debates, institutional structures, and public policies, and draws upon inter-disciplinary perspectives. Both quantitative and qualitative data are used. On the quantitative side, for France the new government mandated “Trajectories and Origins” (TeO) survey conducted in 2009 (over 21000 interviews) overcomes many limitations in existing statistics for identification of ethnic minorities. The comparable Canadian source is the monumental “Ethnic Diversity Survey” conducted in 2002 by Statistics Canada (over 42000 interviews). Excellent collaboration is available in use of the French data; I have already published a major book on the Canadian data. The project also will conduct a series of specially designed focus-group sessions involving structured encounters between Muslims and non-Muslims conducted in Paris, Montreal and Toronto. The project will be facilitated by CADIS in Paris where I build on a strong institutional foundation. It will produce a major book to be submitted to the MacMillan Palgrave series on migration, and papers for international conferences. A conference and workshop also will be held.
The main tasks are as indicated in the proposal (MUSLIMFRANCECANADA, Part B4, p. 15)
1. Further review of previous related research
2. Preparation of preliminary data analysis plan for EDS and TeO.
3. Acquisition of World Values and ISSP Surveys, and preparation of data analysis plan.
4. Consultation with scholars in each setting regarding validity and potential interpretation of comparative results.
5. Implementation of data analysis, and interpretation of results. (Workshop also planned.)
6. Focus group implementation
7. Focus group analysis
8. Preparation of draft research reports and publications
9. Hosting of conference to discuss research results and results from other ongoing research
10. Final revisions and submission of research papers for publication.
The summary of progress with clearly significant results highlighted is as follows. The timetable for the project, including 6 time-periods) has been adhered to very closely.
Tasks 1, 2. 3 and 4 were completed in the first year. Consultations with colleagues at CADIS as well as elsewhere in France, Europe and North America have been extensive. A bilingual website describing the project has been launched (see above), and elicited additional comments and feedback.
Task 5 (Data analysis) in all aspects has been completed as initially planned; because of interest in the results further and more detailed analysis was undertaken as well. A 10-chapter book outline has been prepared, and quantitative data analysis is required for 7 of these chapters. Planned data analysis for all 6 of the chapters has been completed; work on the 7th (surveys of minority populations) is underway.
• Comparison of TeO and EDS data, and also the 2001 Canadian census, is required for four chapters, and analyses of these data sets is nearing completion. The project has the assistance of one graduate student (University of Paris) conducting statistical analysis at INED, and one in Toronto. Two working trips for Paris researchers in Toronto took place, one in November 2013, and a second in March 2014.
• Analysis of World Values Surveys and ISSP surveys was completed for France, Quebec and Canada, and for eight other major immigration nations. This is the basis for one of the book chapters.
• Analysis of mental health medical surveys for France, Quebec and Canada were undertaken and are nearing completion.
• Plans for analysis of minority attitudes and perceptions in France, Quebec and Canada have been completed, and data analysis has begun.
Progress toward completion of Tasks 6 and 7, the focus groups, involved 18 two-hour interviews were conducted in Paris with members of Muslim minorities chosen to highlight comparisons with Quebec and Canada. In addition 2 group discussions which will constitute a case-study of conflict over religious expression have been conducted. Some preliminary analysis of results has been completed. An EHESS graduate student (recruited with the aid of Michel Wieviorka) is assisting with all phases of the work on focus groups. This activity (planned for periods 3 and 4) is very fruitful and will continue in Paris. Toronto and Montreal group interviews will begin in July.
Regarding Task 8, draft reports and publications (planned for periods 4 and 5), as mentioned a detailed outline for a major book to be co-authored with Dr. Patrick Simon (INED, Paris) has been drafted, and publication is planned in both English and French. Two draft chapters have been completed. One has been presented in seminars in Paris, Toronto and the Netherlands, and is scheduled for presentation at a conference in Montreal, 30 October 2014. The other will be presented at the International Sociological Association meetings in Yokohama 15 July 2014.
Regarding Task 9, the first of three international workshops on the project and related research (period 5) by European and North American colleagues is planned to be held at Maison Suger in Paris. The workshop will provide feedback on the research, and is planned also lead to the publication of an edited book presented related comparative research on the integration of Muslim immigrants in different settings. The date of the workshop has been set for November 2014.
Note that to support many research activities of my Marie Curie project, I applied for and received a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, in the amount of C$149,989. This grant provides funds for a four-year period April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2016. The grant is important for the Marie Curie project for a number of reasons. First, the comparative dimension of the research requires that graduate assistants be working in Toronto and Montreal during the course of the research, with regular exchanges by email and field visits; funds to support this were not included in the Marie Curie fellowship. As well, the scope of the project requires that work continue beyond the time-frame of the Marie Curie fellowship, and the SSHRC grant provides funds to support these activities.
Task 10, the final revision of manuscripts, period 6, is underway. This and all remaining activities of the research project will be completed during the period of the concurrent grant.
This project compares the experiences of Muslim minorities in three contexts: France, Quebec, and English Canada. The objective is to assess the extent of integration of Muslim minorities in each setting, to identify key similarities and differences, to find the most important reasons for any differences, and to relate findings to previous research and public discourse in each setting. The three-way comparison helps illuminate a number of issues of significance to current debates on immigration and multiculturalism, including the role of public attitudes, national integration ‘models’ and advantages of traditional ‘nations of immigration’ over recent European experience, and language and culture. The theoretical framework takes account of four sets of factors: minority characteristics, mainstream attitudes and debates, institutional structures, and public policies, and draws upon inter-disciplinary perspectives. Both quantitative and qualitative data are used. On the quantitative side, for France the new government mandated “Trajectories and Origins” (TeO) survey conducted in 2009 (over 21000 interviews) overcomes many limitations in existing statistics for identification of ethnic minorities. The comparable Canadian source is the monumental “Ethnic Diversity Survey” conducted in 2002 by Statistics Canada (over 42000 interviews). Excellent collaboration is available in use of the French data; I have already published a major book on the Canadian data. The project also will conduct a series of specially designed focus-group sessions involving structured encounters between Muslims and non-Muslims conducted in Paris, Montreal and Toronto. The project will be facilitated by CADIS in Paris where I build on a strong institutional foundation. It will produce a major book to be submitted to the MacMillan Palgrave series on migration, and papers for international conferences. A conference and workshop also will be held.
The main tasks are as indicated in the proposal (MUSLIMFRANCECANADA, Part B4, p. 15)
1. Further review of previous related research
2. Preparation of preliminary data analysis plan for EDS and TeO.
3. Acquisition of World Values and ISSP Surveys, and preparation of data analysis plan.
4. Consultation with scholars in each setting regarding validity and potential interpretation of comparative results.
5. Implementation of data analysis, and interpretation of results. (Workshop also planned.)
6. Focus group implementation
7. Focus group analysis
8. Preparation of draft research reports and publications
9. Hosting of conference to discuss research results and results from other ongoing research
10. Final revisions and submission of research papers for publication.
The summary of progress with clearly significant results highlighted is as follows. The timetable for the project, including 6 time-periods) has been adhered to very closely.
Tasks 1, 2. 3 and 4 were completed in the first year. Consultations with colleagues at CADIS as well as elsewhere in France, Europe and North America have been extensive. A bilingual website describing the project has been launched (see above), and elicited additional comments and feedback.
Task 5 (Data analysis) in all aspects has been completed as initially planned; because of interest in the results further and more detailed analysis was undertaken as well. A 10-chapter book outline has been prepared, and quantitative data analysis is required for 7 of these chapters. Planned data analysis for all 6 of the chapters has been completed; work on the 7th (surveys of minority populations) is underway.
• Comparison of TeO and EDS data, and also the 2001 Canadian census, is required for four chapters, and analyses of these data sets is nearing completion. The project has the assistance of one graduate student (University of Paris) conducting statistical analysis at INED, and one in Toronto. Two working trips for Paris researchers in Toronto took place, one in November 2013, and a second in March 2014.
• Analysis of World Values Surveys and ISSP surveys was completed for France, Quebec and Canada, and for eight other major immigration nations. This is the basis for one of the book chapters.
• Analysis of mental health medical surveys for France, Quebec and Canada were undertaken and are nearing completion.
• Plans for analysis of minority attitudes and perceptions in France, Quebec and Canada have been completed, and data analysis has begun.
Progress toward completion of Tasks 6 and 7, the focus groups, involved 18 two-hour interviews were conducted in Paris with members of Muslim minorities chosen to highlight comparisons with Quebec and Canada. In addition 2 group discussions which will constitute a case-study of conflict over religious expression have been conducted. Some preliminary analysis of results has been completed. An EHESS graduate student (recruited with the aid of Michel Wieviorka) is assisting with all phases of the work on focus groups. This activity (planned for periods 3 and 4) is very fruitful and will continue in Paris. Toronto and Montreal group interviews will begin in July.
Regarding Task 8, draft reports and publications (planned for periods 4 and 5), as mentioned a detailed outline for a major book to be co-authored with Dr. Patrick Simon (INED, Paris) has been drafted, and publication is planned in both English and French. Two draft chapters have been completed. One has been presented in seminars in Paris, Toronto and the Netherlands, and is scheduled for presentation at a conference in Montreal, 30 October 2014. The other will be presented at the International Sociological Association meetings in Yokohama 15 July 2014.
Regarding Task 9, the first of three international workshops on the project and related research (period 5) by European and North American colleagues is planned to be held at Maison Suger in Paris. The workshop will provide feedback on the research, and is planned also lead to the publication of an edited book presented related comparative research on the integration of Muslim immigrants in different settings. The date of the workshop has been set for November 2014.
Note that to support many research activities of my Marie Curie project, I applied for and received a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, in the amount of C$149,989. This grant provides funds for a four-year period April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2016. The grant is important for the Marie Curie project for a number of reasons. First, the comparative dimension of the research requires that graduate assistants be working in Toronto and Montreal during the course of the research, with regular exchanges by email and field visits; funds to support this were not included in the Marie Curie fellowship. As well, the scope of the project requires that work continue beyond the time-frame of the Marie Curie fellowship, and the SSHRC grant provides funds to support these activities.
Task 10, the final revision of manuscripts, period 6, is underway. This and all remaining activities of the research project will be completed during the period of the concurrent grant.