Farewell Symposium Thomas Spijkerboer

Thomas worked at the VU Amsterdam as a professor of migration law from 2000 to 2024, during which time he founded the Migration Law Section — an ever-growing group of scholars that came to be known as the Amsterdam Centre for Migration and Refugee Law. All scholars, colleagues, students and friends are invited to attend this event, which will recognise his contributions and feature thought-provoking discussions reflecting his scholarly work.

Program Overview - Farewell Seminar Thomas Spijkerboer

Date & Time: 27 June 2025, 13:00 – 17:00

Venue: Aurora, Main Building, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Registration: Please register via secretariaat.sb.rch@vu.nl or fill out this form.

Chair: Lieneke Slingenberg

• 13:00 – 13:30 | Coffee/Tea
• 13:30 – 13:45 | Opening Remarks Martijn Stronks
• 13:45 – 14:00 | The Thomas Effect Johanne Søndergaard.
• 14:00 – 14:45 | Changing Parameters in Asylum Law Join Janna Wessels and Younous Arbaoui as they delve into The notion of ‘protection’ in gender-related asylum claims: game-changing developments at the European Courts? Hemme Battjes will act as respondent.
• 14:45 – 15:15 | Break A short interlude to reflect, network and recharge over refreshments.
• 15:15 – 16:00 | Decolonising Migration Research Amanda Bisong will share reflections on practical ways to create the space for decolonising migration research. Respondent Tamara Last will enrich the conversation with thoughtful commentary and dialogue.
• 16:00 – 16:15 | Intermezzo
• 16:15 – 17:00 | Migrant Voting in Bonaire Concluding the academic sessions, Jordan Dez will present on Migrant Voting in Bonaire with Guno Jones acting as the respondent.
• 17:00 | Drinks Reception The symposium will culminate with drinks at Café Living, providing an open, informal setting on the VU campus for further conversation, farewell memories, and networking.

You are warmly invited to join us on 27 June.

The programme is available to download here.