nccr – on the move 89d ago

What happens when an asylum system moves online? Focusing on South Africa, this episode examines how digitalisation is changing access to refugee protection, legal status, and everyday interactions with bureaucracy. It asks whether online systems introduced in the name of efficiency can also create new barriers for those seeking protection. Guests: Saskia Greyling, post-doctoral research fellow, nccr – on the move, University of Neuchâtel ⁠https://nccr-onthemove.ch/people/greyling/ Asha Uwamahoro, Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town Corey Johnson, doctoral candidate, African Centre for Cities at the University of Cape Town Host and editorial production: Julia Litzkow, Knowledge Transfer Officer https://nccr-onthemove.ch/people/litzkow/ Audio production: RebelMango ⁠https://rebelmango.com/ Recording date: 3 September 2025 Learn more: nccr – on the move research project: ⁠https://nccr-onthemove.ch/projects/data-politics-and-new-regimes-of-mobility-and-control-during-and-after-the-covid-19-pandemic/ Materialising Digital Borderscapes Article: ⁠https://www.cogitatiopress.com/socialinclusion/article/view/10871/4770 Scalabrini Centre: ⁠https://www.scalabrini.org.za/ Costly Protection Report: ⁠https://lawyersforhumanrights.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Corruption-Report-V4-Digital.pdf With special thanks to: Ruth Mutseriwa, whose voice performance is featured in the episode introduction Video chapters: 00:01 Introduction: A Busy Morning at the Scalabrini Centre 00:49 The Challenge of Digital Access 01:42 Meet the Experts: Saskia Greyling and Asha Uwamahoro 04:24 Research Project: Data Politics and New Regimes of Mobility 05:55 The Scalabrini Centre 07:17 Historical Context: Migration to South Africa 09:30 The "Old" Asylum System 11:03 Impact and Challenges of the "New" Digital System 16:41 Facts and Figures Behind the Digital System 18:05 Looking Ahead: Recommendations for Improvement