Based on fieldwork with Gambian migrants and smugglers, this talk reveals how human smuggling operates not as chaos but as governance—structured systems shaped by local norms, economies, and power relations. I trace how European border externalization policies have disrupted these informal orders, often increasing rather than reducing migrant vulnerability. The talk challenges prevailing narratives about crime and humanitarianism at the border.

This talk introduces the concept of induced precarity to describe how border control and migration management policies produce instability for both migrants and host communities. Drawing from research in Africa and the Mediterranean, I highlight how international policy frameworks designed to “manage” migration often perpetuate insecurity and dependency.

Drawing from comparative law and development studies, this talk examines how people build systems of justice and protection in places where the state is absent, predatory, or distrusted. It bridges my experience at the World Bank and in human rights advocacy to show how informal institutions—from smuggling markets to neighborhood watch groups—reshape the meaning of law and legitimacy.

This talk highlights innovative approaches to teaching about migration and borders through experiential, community-engaged learning. Students in my courses collaborate with NGOs and create public-facing projects, using academic tools to address real-world challenges. The talk reflects on how pedagogy can humanize global politics and foster civic engagement.