Ashli Mullen

Dr. Ashli Mullen serves as a Lecturer in Sociological & Cultural Studies at the University of Glasgow, specializing in racialised capitalism and the socio-economic conditions of racialised migrant workers, particularly Roma communities in Scotland. Her research examines the intersections of welfare chauvinism, economic exploitation, and deportability through ethnographic methodologies. She concurrently holds the position of Creative Director at Romano Lav, an anti-racist Roma migrant organization based in Govanhill, Glasgow, demonstrating her commitment to community-engaged scholarship.

Mullen's research program critically analyzes how racial capitalism structures migrant labor conditions, with particular attention to territorial stigmatisation and anti-racist solidarity movements. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks from critical race theory and political economy with grounded ethnographic investigations in Scottish urban contexts, emphasizing the lived experiences of marginalized communities and the spatial dimensions of racialization.

Her publication trajectory reveals a sustained focus on racial capitalism's manifestations in migration contexts, evolving from early analyses of territorial stigmatisation (2018) toward comprehensive theoretical frameworks in her forthcoming monograph and co-authored book. Recent works increasingly integrate state theory and anti-racist praxis, reflecting her dual commitment to academic rigor and community activism within Glasgow's diverse neighborhoods.

Scientific Awards:

• Neil Davidson Postdoctoral Writing Fellowship

Mullen currently conducts fellowship-funded research on racial capitalism while co-authoring a theoretical text with Satnam Virdee; however, no formal student supervision or grant administration details are documented in available sources. Her community leadership at Romano Lav represents a vital extension of her academic work into practical anti-racist organizing.

Through Romano Lav, Mullen maintains direct engagement with Roma migrant communities in Govanhill, ensuring her research remains accountable to the populations it studies while facilitating knowledge exchange between academic and community spheres. This organizational role informs her ethnographic approach and shapes her critical perspective on welfare systems and labor exploitation.