The Matter of Migration Podcast Begins Sheffield Community Tour
“The Matter of Migration,” the project blends podcast storytelling, community art, and a multi-sensory listening environment to spark conversation, empathy, and understanding around migration, identity, and belonging in modern Britain.
At a time when migration debates are often dominated by political rhetoric and numbers, The Matter of Migration takes a radically different approach. Instead of focusing on policy or population figures, the project centres human voices, personal journeys, and cultural memory.
The travelling experience brings together:
Podcast episodes reflecting on migration and displacement
Community-created artwork
A unique immersive listening structure designed to deepen emotional connection
The project officially begins its Sheffield tour at Crystal Peaks Shopping Centre, running from 22 January to 28 January 2026, before moving to additional locations across the city throughout the year.
What Is “The Matter of Migration”?
The Matter of Migration is a podcast and arts initiative created and hosted by João Paulo Simões, a podcast producer, sound designer, and film director known for documenting migration narratives through his production company, Frontier Media.
The project brings together six podcast episodes, featuring 14 contributors from diverse backgrounds, including:
Academics and researchers
Artists and musicians
Young people
Community leaders and local councillors
Each episode explores migration as a lived reality — touching on themes such as:
Identity and belonging
Cultural heritage
Exile and home
Community resilience
Intergenerational memory
From Festival Stage to City Streets
The project was first unveiled at Sheffield’s Migration Matters Festival in June last year, where it received strong audience feedback for its emotional depth and originality.
It later featured at Crossed Wires, Sheffield’s podcast festival, presented by João Paulo Simões alongside Sam Holland of co-producer Arts on the Run.
Following its success at cultural festivals, the creators decided to take the project directly into public spaces, ensuring the stories reach people who might not normally attend arts events or listen to documentary podcasts.
Crystal Peaks: The First Stop on the Tour
The tour begins at Crystal Peaks Shopping Centre, a busy public hub that brings together people from across Sheffield’s communities.
According to the project team, the choice of location is deliberate.
Shopping centres are places of movement, encounter, and everyday life — mirroring the themes of transition and belonging explored in the podcasts.
Visitors will be invited to step inside a purpose-built structure and experience the podcasts in a way that is intimate, reflective, and immersive.
Inside “The Pod”: A Multi-Sensory Listening Experience
At the heart of The Matter of Migration is a free, walk-in installation known as “The Pod.”
Designed by artist and experience designer Liz Von Graevenitz, The Pod surrounds listeners with sound and visual art, transforming podcast listening into a physical experience.
What The Pod Represents
The structure is deliberately symbolic:
A safe space for reflection and listening
A temporary shelter, echoing refugee camps
A shared environment shaped by community creativity
The interior features artwork created during community workshops, ensuring local voices are embedded not only in sound, but in visual form as well.
Creator’s Vision: Giving Migration a Human Voice
Speaking about the project, creator João Paulo Simões explained his motivation for moving away from traditional narratives around migration.
“With the podcasts, I wanted to give a new voice to migrants’ stories and make them pertinent to where we are right now, with a very different, immersive experience.”
He added:
“This project illuminates what migration really is on a personal level, rather than just talking about statistics or in very generic terms.”
Simões believes the project’s strength lies in its accessibility and emotional honesty.
“I think it is unique, and the feedback we’ve had so far has been very positive.”
A Diverse Line-Up of Voices
The six podcast episodes feature 14 contributors, each bringing a distinct perspective on migration and identity.
Contributors include:
Madeleina Kay – artist and activist
Rosa Cisneros – flamenco historian
Rumbi Tauro – R&B singer and performer
Young people from Element Society
Kaltum Osman Rivers – South Yorkshire councillor
Academic researchers exploring migration theory and lived experience
Together, the voices reflect migration not as a single story, but as a complex, layered human experience.
Where the Podcasts Were Made
All episodes were recorded at Spring Tank Studios on Randall Street, Sheffield, a space known for supporting creative and community-led audio projects.
The production places strong emphasis on:
High-quality sound design
Intimate, conversational storytelling
Ethical collaboration with contributors
Next Stops on the Sheffield Tour
Following its run at Crystal Peaks, the project will move to:
Zest Upperthorpe
Dates: 29 January – 3 February 2026
Four additional Sheffield locations are planned later in the year, with venues chosen to either:
Reflect the themes of specific podcast episodes
Challenge audiences to engage with migration stories in unexpected settings
Full location details will be announced as the tour progresses.
Why Projects Like This Matter in 2026
Migration continues to shape cities like Sheffield culturally, socially, and economically. Yet public conversation often reduces it to numbers, borders, and controversy.
The Matter of Migration offers an alternative — one rooted in listening, creativity, and shared humanity.
By placing stories directly within communities, the project encourages:
Dialogue instead of division
Empathy over fear
Curiosity rather than assumption
Funding and Support
The project is supported by a range of cultural and civic organisations, including:
Arts Council England
Sheffield Council’s Community Cohesion and Resilience Programme
Sheffield Town Trust
Their backing reflects growing recognition of the role arts and storytelling play in strengthening community cohesion.
How to Experience “The Matter of Migration”
Cost: Free
Format: Walk-in immersive podcast and arts installation
Location: Multiple Sheffield venues
Accessibility: Designed for public engagement and community access
The podcasts are also expected to be available via platforms such as BBC Sounds, extending the project’s reach beyond physical locations.
Final Thoughts
In an era of fast news and polarised debate, The Matter of Migration slows things down — inviting people to listen, reflect, and connect.
By combining podcasting, art, and public space, the project demonstrates how storytelling can bridge gaps and foster understanding in a diverse city.
