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An issue on the theme of Experiences of ‘Return’, to be published in December 2026.

Mobility is rarely linear. Movement, time, and shifting definitions and (im)positions of belonging can start to erode the clarity of points of origin and destination. This issue invites explorations of experiences of ‘return’ in all their complexity.

We encourage work that critically engages with the following or related questions: What is ‘return’ in stories of mobility and can it ever truly be defined as such? What role does physical ‘return’ to an ancestral homeland or a process of revisiting intergenerational narratives play in experiences of mobility? How does ‘return’ to, or revisiting a place previously left due to war, crisis, or economic hardship, cloud or bolster definitions of home? How does external or political pressure to ‘return’ when a crisis or war is deemed concluded affect the experience of ‘return’? Should ‘return’ be considered the endpoint or goal of refugee status? What roles do diasporas play in conceptions of ‘return’? How do returnees contribute to their homeland societies? Can people feel at home returning home after moving from it?

We welcome diverse formats that reflect multi-modal research and the multifaceted nature of migration and return journeys. This includes, but is not limited to, artistic practices, academic work, personal storytelling, and use of various mediums (visual and audio materials, oral history, poetry, ephemera, art etc).

For this issue, contribution themes include but are not limited to:

Critical definitions of return in mobility
Voluntary Return or External, Political Pressure to Return
Return to ancestral homelands or intergenerational narratives of home
Return at the ‘end’ of a war, crisis, or poverty
The interplay of return and refugee status
Feeling at home

We are particularly interested in publishing work that lifts up the voices of people on the move and exploring (im)mobility in its many varied forms. We are also keen on receiving pieces that analyse current news about migration and (im)mobility, or reflect on cultural developments related to these topics.

Articles should address a broad audience, made of experts and non-experts, and should be originally written in English.

The deadline for proposals is 25 September.

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How: If you are interested in proposing a submission for this issue, please send us a short abstract no longer than 250 words via email to: routedmagazine@gmail.com. We would also like to hear about your relationship to migration and mobility (whether you are a migrant, a researcher, a student, a practitioner...).

Article guidelines:

The length of the piece should be between 700 and 1000 words.
The article should consistently use British spelling and grammar, if you are writing in English.
The simpler the language the better. Try to briefly explain or add links to any concepts, organisations, policies… introduced in the article.
Concepts and cited works/legislation/articles should be inserted in the article as hyperlinks, not as footnotes or endnotes.
All acronyms should be specified in parentheses.

Some notes on the publication process:

Once you send us your proposal, we will get back to you after the deadline for all submissions (25 September) to confirm acceptance.
First drafts are due by 30 October. After you send us your first draft, your editor will get back to you with their comments, which you will review before publication.
The article will be included in Routed Magazine’s newsletter and promoted on social media.
We understand this topic may be highly sensitive. If any writer wishes to remain anonymous, we commit to protecting their identity.
Please be aware that any opinions you express in your article will be yours alone and not reflect Routed’s general stance.

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You can download a pdf version of the CfS here.