Borders in Globalization (University of Victoria)

The Borders in Globalization Project is an international research network designed to connect research to policy, build excellence in the knowledge of borders, and advance border management in Canada and around the world. The BIG Network is comprised of academic partners in Canada, the US, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, representatives from nine intergovernmental and transnational organizations, and research collaborators from an additional 16 universities around the world. We publish an open access journal, the Borders in Globalization Review, as well as an open access book series (BIG Books) and a podcast series (Borders in Globalization Podcast). The Borders in Globalization Project (BIG) began in 2013 at the University of Victoria’s Centre for Global Studies. Under the leadership of Dr. Emmanuel Brunet-Jailly, the first phase of the BIG program focused on building excellence in our knowledge and understanding of borders. During this phase, the BIG network conducted over 130 research projects related to borders in globalization, provided research opportunities and training to more than 180 undergraduate and graduate students, hosted two international conferences, ten summer institutes, two dozen workshops, and multiple policy forums and roundtables. In 2021, under the leadership of Dr. Emmanuel Brunet-Jailly and Dr. Jeff Corntassel, the BIG Project launched phase 2 of the program, “21st Century Borders: Emergent Challenges Among and Within State”. This 7-year SSHRC funded international research collaboration will explore the understandings of borders – real, remote, and virtual – in the 21st century. Through the 21st Century Borders grant, the BIG network will continue to provide research opportunities to undergraduate and graduate students, host policy focused roundtables, summer institutes, workshops, and international conferences, and bring together leading experts in the field of border studies.