Negar Valizadeh

Specializing in migration studies, I hold a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Ottawa focused on immigrant integration, transnationalism, and urban diversity in Canadian cities. My research investigates how migrants—particularly Iranian immigrants, international students, and LGBTQ+ refugees of colour—navigate housing, socioeconomic mobility, community formation, and belonging.
My doctoral dissertation examines the integration experiences of immigrant groups in Toronto, analyzing residential patterns, professional trajectories, and the social production of belonging at neighbourhood and city scales. Expanding on this work, I am leading new research in Vancouver, with a comparative focus on the spatial dynamics of housing and integration among migrants. Recognizing critical gaps in migrant support, I am co-authoring a policy brief addressing the housing insecurity and integration barriers faced by LGBTQ+ refugees of colour. This brief synthesizes research findings and provides actionable recommendations to policymakers, emphasizing the need for inclusive housing policies, targeted settlement services, and culturally competent supports.
In my work, I employ mixed methods, including large-scale quantitative analysis (using Statistics Canada and GIS data), in-depth interviews, and community-based approaches such as photovoice and collaborative autoethnography. I have published and contributed to peer-reviewed journals on immigrant settlement, social networks, and the lived experience of international students and marginalized communities.