Overview
My publications span the anthropology of migration, humanitarianism, healthcare, and emerging biotechnologies. They reflect my commitment to ethnography as a method for understanding how people collaborate, how knowledge circulates, and how values shape decisions across diverse settings, from hospital teams to transnational migrant communities and global research partnerships.
For a complete, up‑to‑date list of publications, please visit my VU Research Portal or Google Scholar profile, which include full bibliographic details, metrics, and links to open-access versions where available.
For a complete, up‑to‑date list of publications, please visit my VU Research Portal or Google Scholar profile, which include full bibliographic details, metrics, and links to open-access versions where available.
Selected Publications
1. Health Care & Biotechnologies
Research focused on interdisciplinary clinical teamwork, safety culture, and global collaborations around biomedical innovation.
Research focused on interdisciplinary clinical teamwork, safety culture, and global collaborations around biomedical innovation.
- Sinatti, G. , J.G. Salvador & J. Creese. (2025). “Sparking change: Frictions as a key function of ethnography for healthcare improvement." Humans 5(3): 22.
- Sinatti, G. , L. Kaster, J. Hoeijmakers, L. Zanstra, C. Verhoeven & A. de Jonge. (2025). “Emotional labour in midwifery care: Balancing between woman's autonomy and clinical control during childbirth." Qualitative Research in Health 7: 100546.
- Sinatti, G., E. Vernooij, et al. (2023). "Context, Collaboration & Cure: The value of ethnography for global HIV cure research." Poster presentation, NCHIV Conference Amsterdam.
2. Migration, Humanitarianism & Governance
Work examining how humanitarian practices unfold in transit and host societies, and how institutional actors govern mobility and development.
Work examining how humanitarian practices unfold in transit and host societies, and how institutional actors govern mobility and development.
- Alexandridis, A., G. Sinatti & D. Dalakoglou. (2024). “From Fortress Europe to Border-Filter: Vulnerability, Biopolitics and the Management of Migration in Greece and the European Union after 2015." Journal of Modern Greek Studies 42(2): 139-164.
- Sinatti, G. (2023). “Border as Mess: Navigating Contradictions and Borderwork in Civil Society Migrant Assistance.” Journal of Intercultural Studies 44(1): 12-27.
- Sinclair, D. & G. Sinatti. (2022). "Re-thinking protection for LGBTI refugees in Kampala, Uganda: A relational, trust-based approach." Refugee Survey Quarterly 41(1): 26-51.
- Anholt, R. & G. Sinatti. (2020). “Under the guise of resilience: The EU approach to migration and forced displacement in Jordan and Lebanon.” Contemporary Security Policy 41(2): 311-355.
- Sinatti, G. (2019). “Humanitarianism as politics: Civil support initiatives for migrants in Milan’s Hub.” Social Inclusion 7(2): 139-148.
- Sinatti, G. & R. Vos. (2019). “Representations of border deaths and the making and unmaking of borders.” Cuttitta, P. & T. Last, Eds. Border Deaths: Causes, Dynamics and Consequences of Migration-related Mortality. Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Press: 71-84.
- Sinatti, G. (2018). “Return migration, entrepreneurship and development: Contrasting the economic growth perspective of Senegal’s diaspora policy through a migrant-centred approach.” African Studies 78(4): 609-623.
- Sinatti, G. & C. Horst. (2015). “Migrants as agents of development: Diaspora engagement discourse and practice in Europe.” Ethnicities 15(1): 134-152.
3. Transnational Mobilities & Identities
Publications based on long‑term fieldwork with West African (particularly Senegalese) migrants, exploring belonging, return trajectories, and social change.
Publications based on long‑term fieldwork with West African (particularly Senegalese) migrants, exploring belonging, return trajectories, and social change.
- Sinatti, G. (2022). “Return migration, entrepreneurship and development.” King, R. & K. Kuschminder, Eds. Handbook of Return Migration. Cheltenam, Edward Elgar: 344-357.
- Sinatti, G. (2015). “Return migration as a win-win-win scenario? Visions of return among Senegalese migrants, the state of origin and receiving countries.” Ethnic and Racial Studies 38(2): 275-291.
- Sinatti, G. (2014). “Masculinities and intersectionality in migration: Transnational Wolof migrants negotiating manhood and gendered family roles.” Truong, T.D., D. Gasper, et al., Eds. Migration, Gender and Social Justice: Perspectives on Human Security. Berlin – Heidelberg – New York, Springer: 215-226.
- Sinatti, G. (2011). “‘Mobile transmigrants’ or ‘unsettled returnees’? Myth of return and permanent resettlement among Senegalese migrants.” Population Space and Place 17(2): 153-166.
- Sinatti, G. (2009). “Home is where the heart abides. Migration, return and housing in Dakar, Senegal.” Open House International 34(3): 49-56.
- Sinatti, G. (2008). “The making of urban translocalities: Senegalese migrants in Dakar and Zingonia.” Smith, M.P. & J. Eade, Eds. Transnational Ties: Cities, Migrations, and Identities. New Brunswick (NJ) and London, Transaction Publishers: 61-76.
- Sinatti, G. (2006). “Diasporic cosmopolitanism and conservative translocalism: Narratives of nation among Senegalese migrants in Italy.” Studies in Ethnicity and Nationalism 6(3): 30-50.
4. Cross-sector & Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Work connecting anthropology with policy, humanitarian practice, and interdisciplinary methodologies.
Work connecting anthropology with policy, humanitarian practice, and interdisciplinary methodologies.
- de Jonge, A., L. Zanstra, A. Leemans, C. Verhoeven, G. Sinatti. (2022). “Een diepe duik in watchful attendance.” de Verloskundige, magazine article, issue 03/22, September: 36-39.
- Sinatti, G. (2018). “Bringing together social sciences and industries.” Antropologia2-0, blog post, 23 April.
- Sinatti, G. (2015). “Anthropologist? You’re hired!” Stanplaats Wereld, blog post, 3 December.
Reports & Applied Outputs
In addition to academic publications, I have produced research‑based reports and evaluations for:
- the European Commission,
- United Nations agencies,
- governmental institutions, and
- international NGOs.
- Handbook: Migration and Development: a Bottom-Up Approach. A Handbook for Practitioners and Policymakers. Brussels, EC-UN Joint Migration and Development Initiative (JMDI), 2011.
- Handbook: Participation of Diasporas in Peacebuilding and Development. A Handbook for Practitioners and Policymakers. Oslo, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), 2010.
- Discussion paper: “Key criteria of ‘good practice’ for constructive diaspora engagement in peacebuilding” DIASPEACE, 2010.
- Video: Sustainable Living and Energy: Towards a PEOPLE perspective, 5 July 2018, CIRCL, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
- Web-doc: Demal te Niew trailer on return migration to Senegal, 2017.
- Media article: Occupation: Migrant. One African's 12-year quest for Europe. Reuters, 12 September 2016.
Photo: Giulia Sinatti, Leiden (Netherlands) 2018