Milena Chimienti

Milena Chimienti is a Full Professor at the School of Social Work - Geneva, part of the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO). She specializes in migration studies with particular focus on refugee children, second-generation migrants, and issues of racialization and discrimination. Her work bridges academic research with practical social work applications and has significant policy relevance.

Professor Chimienti's research spans multiple critical areas in contemporary migration studies. Her primary interests include migration and asylum policies, refugee children and second-generation experiences, and the complex intersections of prostitution, sex work, and vulnerability. She also investigates racialization processes, urban integration, and the right to the city for marginalized populations. Her work frequently examines how social structures shape individual agency and life trajectories, with particular attention to methodological approaches that avoid reproducing stigma.

Analysis of Professor Chimienti's recent publications reveals consistent focus on migration-related issues, particularly concerning refugee backgrounds and second-generation experiences. Her work demonstrates strong methodological diversity, employing both qualitative and quantitative approaches. A notable trend is her examination of how categories like 'nationality' and 'second generation' are constructed in research and policy, with attention to avoiding stigmatization. Her research increasingly connects migration studies with urban studies, examining spatial dimensions of inclusion and exclusion, particularly regarding the regulation of prostitution in Swiss cities.

Professor Chimienti is actively involved in research supervision and grant-funded projects. She has led or participated in numerous significant research initiatives, including studies on the transition to adulthood for second-generation migrants, the experiences of children of refugees, and the spatial regulation of prostitution in Swiss cities. Her collaborative work spans multiple institutions across Switzerland and internationally, demonstrating strong interdisciplinary and cross-institutional connections.

She is affiliated with the Centre de recherches sociales (CERES) and Labo InterMigra, where she contributes to interdisciplinary research on migration and social inclusion. Her work often involves cross-institutional collaboration with universities including UNIGE (University of Geneva) and UNIL (University of Lausanne), as well as international partners in the UK, France, and Portugal, reflecting the transnational nature of her research interests.