ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the social networks of young unaccompanied asylum seekers and refugees in London. It discusses the findings of a 12-month qualitative study using photo elicitation interviews with eight young refugees to explore their social networks. The chapter describes the research methodology before moving on to consider how social networks shape the migration journeys of young refugees. It explains that the formation of weak ties particularly to institutional actors is important in providing young refugees with access to material and cultural resources. The migration journey in London present a particularly interesting case for exploring Granovetter's contention about the strength of weak ties since children and youth seeking asylum alone may not yet have developed strong ties in the UK. Social Network Analysis maps the ties between people at a personal and institutional level in order to trace how networks influence or correlate with individual behaviour and action.
