Contextualising Afrodiasporic Identities

Abstract

While much research has been conducted on the lived experiences of African migrants and African diasporic experiences, this has predominantly centred on areas of the Global North such as North America and Europe. In Australia, research on African migrants is increasing but has to date focused primarily on refugees. Research about other African diasporic experiences, such as skilled African migrants’ resettlement journeys and emerging diasporic identities, is still emerging in Australia. This chapter presents an overview of the historical and contemporary sociopolitical context of African migration to Australia and the literature on the experiences of African migrants. This overview provides a solid foundation for understanding and exploring contemporary African diasporic experiences and identities and the changing nature of such identities in Australia. This chapter is written from a sensitive standpoint and generated through Afrocentric perspectives to avoid reductionist arguments that singularise the experiences of diasporic Africans.