Migration and Social Policy Cluster

The scale, visibility and impact of international migration has increased sharply in recent decades. This is felt globally, regionally and locally and poses complex social and political challenges, as it impacts the lives of migrants, the countries of origin, countries of 'transit' or temporary residence, countries where people settle or resettle permanently, as well as the communities to which they return. There is a strong call for better management of migration processes, in all its forms, and for more international and regional cooperation in the framework of migration management, such as the Global Compact.

However, given the great diversity and complexity of the phenomenon, the often-irreconcilable interests of the different stakeholders involved and the high sensitivity and politicisation of the issue, progress in this area remains limited, with several policies even proving counterproductive.

UNU-CRIS carries out interdisciplinary and in-depth research into the nature, causes and consequences of migration and migration governance, with special attention to the most vulnerable categories of migrants and to the role of regions in migration governance.

This cluster also has a broader interest in the regional dimensions of social policies. It explores the potential of internationalizing social policies and the (potential) contribution of regional organizations to formulating and implementing social policies.

Current streams of research within the Migration and Social Policy Cluster include:

Research on the process of return migration and return mobilities and its governance at different levels and in different regions. We aim at increasing understandings of the meaning, determinants and impact of return migration and reintegration processes for individuals, receiving communities and states of return and the developments and implications of current policy discourses and infrastructures.
Research on specific determinants of migration and the formation of migration aspirations. We aim to disentangle the role of networks, discrimination, conflict, terrorism, and climate change on global migration patterns and develop quantitative indicators of migration policies, which will allow a better comparison of trends and patterns in migration policies.
Research on circular migration, internal migration and internal displacement. We aim to study different migration and mobility patterns, their determinants and governance challenges, with a particular focus on access to support and resources.
Research on regional and multi-level governance of migration and borders.
Research on the functioning and evolution of social policy in different regions, as well as its internationalization.

Projects

Investigating Water and Climate-Related Conflicts and Migration towards Engagement and Equity focused Solutions for Adaptation, Human Security and Policy Integration in Africa

PhD Fellow: Alix Debray
Promotor: Ilse Ruyssen
Funding: BOF Ghent University (UNU-CRIS label)
- 1 October 2019 – 30 September 2023

Borders and Mobility in Situations of Regional Separatism: A Grassroots Approach in Abkhazia, Nagorno Karabakh and Transnistria

PhD Fellow: Gaëlle Le Pavic
Promotor: Ine Lietaert
Funding: BOF Ghent University
- 1 October 2020 – 30 September 2023

Cultural Identity and the City – A Sociocultural-Spatial Approach Towards Inclusive Urbanization for Internally Displaced Indigenous People in Mindanao

PhD Fellow: Dan Jezreel A. Orendain
Promoter: Ine Lietaert
Funding: FWO fundamental research fellowship
- 1 February 2022 - 31 January 2024

Migrant Squatting and 'City-zenship': Comparative Analysis of Municipal Migration Policies and Bottom-Up Processes of Integration in Paris and Rome

PhD Fellow: Tancrède Pagès
Promotor: Robin Vandevoordt
Funding: BOF Ghent University (UNU-CRIS label)
- 1 February 2021 - 31 January 2025)

International Thematic Network on Climate-Migration-Health (CliMigHealth)

Coordinator: Ilse Ruyssen
Partner institutes: Ghent University, UNU-CRIS, Makerere University, University of Ghana, ICRAF, University of Zambia, University of Malawi, Stellenbosch University, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, EIEE, Aarhus University, University of Göttingen, KIT Royal Tropical Institute, UNU-MERIT, UNU-EHS, UNU-INWEH, University of California, University of Queensland
Funding: Ghent University and partner institutes
- 2020-2025

Completed Projects

Homecoming: Returnees’ Memories and Belonging Negotiation in Ukraine

PhD Fellow: Alina Penkala
Promotor: Ine Lietaert
Funding: BOF Ghent University
- 1 October 2019 – 30 September 2022

Return and Reintegration of Ethiopian Forced Returnees: From the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Northern Wollo, Ethiopia: Processes, Challenges and Impacts