Hammad Khan is a Ph.D. candidate in the department of sociology at the University of Toronto. His research interests lie at the intersection of immigration, race & ethnicity, political sociology, and post-colonialism. His dissertation research examines the nuances of national identity and belonging for Pakistani-newcomers in Canada, with implications on how racializing legacies of colonialism continue to inform settlement processes. As part of this project, Hammad also works with settlement counsellors who are themselves first-generation, racialized Canadians in examining how inequities associated with settlement are (re)produced as an inherent outcome of Canada’s current immigration model. This research also investigates the ways in which narratives of whiteness as authentically Canadian (re)produce the logic of inherently white ‘Canadianness’ that remains out of reach for Pakistani-newcomers. This research seeks to problematize how national identity and belonging are conceptualized, measured, assessed, and reported for a historically marginalized and racialized Pakistani diaspora in Canada. Methodologically this work includes over 80 life-history interviews with Pakistani-newcomers (< 5 years in Canada) and first-generation settlement counsellors. Finally, Hammad’s work includes a significant reflexive element, as he draws from his own experiences with immigration and settlement in Canada, and centers himself in his research as a first-generation Pakistani-Canadian. Hammad’s dissertation research is supported with a SSHRC doctoral fellowship. He has also presented developing papers associated with this work at several conferences including the Annual Canadian Sociological Association (CSA) Conference.
Harney Program in Ethnic, Immigration and Pluralism Studies
Harney Program in Ethnic, Immigration and Pluralism Studies