Dr. Yahel Kurlander
Areas of Interest
Biographical Info
I am a sociologist specializing in labor markets, with a focus on labor migration and gender. In my research, I analyze the longitudinal institutionalization processes of social organizations, focusing on interactions that occur within and between the macro, mezzo, and micro levels. By employing a critical perspective, I am able to better understand the power relations and structures these processes produce and reproduce, as well as their societal implications. I explore these fundamental issues in the fields of labor markets and global labor migration, especially vis-à-vis marginalized populations such as migrant workers and women. Along with my academic pursuits, I am a dedicated activist deeply committed to various groups that advocate on migration and gender issues. I believe that academics have a responsibility to use the knowledge they acquire to contribute to society. In the domain of Thai labor migration, I have established myself as a leading expert. As such, I actively participate in various governmental and non-governmental committees and am frequently invited to consult in this field. My expertise and extensive network in the field proved invaluable during the Israel–Hamas 2023 war, when I helped to form a voluntary assistance group for the Thai workers affected by the attack. Our group operated on multiple fronts to provide vital assistance to those workers. I personally coordinated the communication with the families, assisted in the identification of bodies, and liaised with authorities and officials in Israel and Thailand.
Check out my Personal website - http://www.yahel-kurlander.co.il
Research
Research Projects:
Doctorate Research Follow-ups
Follow-up research examining the institutionalization of the method of recruiting migrant workers in the agricultural sector, introduced a decade ago.
Global Labor Migration
Examining the intersectional perspectives of women labor migrants employed in male-dominated occupations, focusing on the Israeli agricultural sector. Collaboration with Shahar Shoham from Humboldt University of Berlin.
Performing a theoretical study that analyzes the interactions between different spheres (global, state and case study) by examining convergence and divergence during the intensity of interaction. Collaboration with Dr. Avinoam Cohen from the College of Management Academic Studies.
Studying the normalization of harmful employment structures in the training programs, run by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and private entities in Israel, for agricultural students from the global south. Collaboration with Hanny Ben Israel and Prof. Hila Shamir from Tel Aviv University.
Examining the impact of Covid-19 on labor migrants in Israel in general, and on agricultural migrants in particular. Collaboration with Maayan Niezna from the University of Kent (UK) and Prof. Hila Shamir from Tel Aviv University.
Gender and the social-economic-geographic periphery
Conducting a research on ’48-generation women from Israeli moshavim. Collaboration with Dr. Zeevik Greenberg from Tel-Hai Academic College.