In the first two years of the DRC's work, research was organised into three major themes:

(1) Impacts of Migration on Rural Poverty and Livelihoods. (2) Changing Dynamics of Migration.
(3) New Initiatives on International Migration.

In July 2005, a decision was taken to revise the organisation of DRC research themes, in recognition of the cross-cutting nature of many of the themes and to make research findings more accessible. From March 2006, the DRC's research can be accessed by ‘type of migration’, ‘key theme' or 'region'.

Following a focus on DFID priority countries in 2008-09, DRC research will focus on Bangladesh and Ghana.