In my work, I use an analytical toolkit consisting of the scientific method (of hypothesizing and falsification) and the genealogical method (of the social construction of knowledge). I bring this critical approach to the study of human migration, race, and sexuality/gender within the context of social theory, policy, and the law.

In addition to theoretical work on methodological and conceptual developments, I have conducted multiple empirical research projects with immigrants/refugees from the Middle East, North and Sub-Saharan Africa, and Europe.

I am a Faculty member in Sociology, UBC Science and Technology Studies program, and the Centre for Migration Studies. Before joining the UBC, I was an Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for the Study of Religious and Ethnic Diversity. I have also held visiting fellowships at the University of Freiburg and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

My current research program builds a methodological critique of the central theories of sociology (of migration). Also, I empirically investigate how established groups perceive migration and integration.

I try to make my research findings available to the public. This includes participating in UBC Centre for Migration Studies‘  podcast series, and writing op-eds in collaboration with the CERC Migration and Integration.

• How equity, diversity, and inclusion policies are becoming a tool for capitalism.
• Season 1, Ep02 – Temporary Foreign Workers, Precarious Labour and the Politics of (in)Equality
• COVID-19 does not care about residency status.
• Here’s why Canadian-style multiculturalism probably isn’t possible in Europe.

Recent publications:

• Liu, S. X., & Karimi, A. Refugee Integration Goes Transnational: Afghans and Ukrainians Prepare for Integration in Canada Before and After Arrival. Global Networks, 26(1), e70042.

• Karimi, A., & Wilkes, R. What is Assimilation, How do We Measure it, and How do We Know if a Group has Assimilated? Theory and Society, 54, 609–629.

• Karimi, A., & Wilkes, R. Classic, Segmented-, or Neo-assimilation, Which Theory to Use? A Scientific-method Investigation. International Migration Review, 1-25. DOI: 10.1177/01979183231205560.

• Wilkes, R. & Karimi, A. (2023). Multi-group Data versus Dual-side Theory: On Race Contrasts and Police-caused Homicides. Social Science & Medicine. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.115946

• Karimi, A., & Wilkes, R. (2023). A Transnational Amendment to Assimilation Theory: Country of Origin’s Racial Status versus Transnational Whiteness. Ethnic and Racial Studies, DOI: 10.1080/01419870.2023.2174810.

• Karimi, A., & Wilkes, R. (2023). Assimilated or the Boundary of Whiteness Expanded? A Boundary Model of Group Belonging. The British Journal of Sociology, 74(2): 189-204.

• Karimi, A., Thompson, S. & Bucerius, S. (2022). Context of Racialized Assimilation: A Case of Second-Generation Somali-Canadians. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 46(5), 875-897.

• Karimi, A., & Wilkes, R. (2022). A Methodological Analysis of National Models of Integration: Time to Think Without the Models? Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 48(7), 1729-1746.

• Karimi, A. (2021). Sexuality and Integration: A Case of Gay Iranian Refugees’ Collective Memories and Integration Practices in Canada. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 44(15), 2857-2875.