People will understand migration differently...
Migration is frequently in the news, usually for the wrong reasons – to raise tension or score political points. Migrants are seen as ‘invaders’ or ‘bogus’ asylum-seekers out to cheat the system.
Our research aims to counter these negative stereotypes and highlight the ways in which migration contributes to the local economy and cultural diversity. But migration is never entirely positive and our research also highlights instances of exploitation, human rights abuse, racism and discrimination.
The Sussex Centre for Migration Research contains one of the largest concentrations of migration research in the country. Among our many projects, we are studying the impact of immigration on children's identities, notions of 'home' and 'belonging', and the relationship between immigrants and host societies. Our research aims to challenge the myths about migration and to shape national and international policy-making.
Countering the stereotypes surrounding migration
Rarely is migration out of the news. Often it is highlighted for all the wrong reasons - to raise tension, score political points, or victimise migrants and refugees. The language used to describe migration is equally emotive; migrants may be portrayed as ‘invaders’ or ‘bogus’ asylum-seekers out to cheat the system.
Our research sets out to counter these stereotypes and to document the many ways in which migrants contribute both to economic development and to the special character and cultural diversity of places and societies. Of course, migration is by no means a wholly positive phenomenon, and our research also highlights instances of exploitation, human rights abuse, racism and discrimination. Migration represents both triumph and tragedy; migrants are both heroes and victims and their experiences are often full of paradoxes and contradictions.
The Sussex Centre for Migration Research contains one of the largest concentrations of migration researchers in the country.
Key projects include the Development Research Centre on Migration, Globalisation and Poverty, funded by the Department of International Development, which brings together partner institutes in five countries in an ambitious programme of research, training and capacity-building. Among its many outputs is the Global Migration Database, covering all 226 countries worldwide.
Our participation in the EU Network of Excellence on International Migration, Integration and Social Cohesion in Europe sees us coordinate two streams of European migration research - on the sending countries and on gender and generations.
Our researchers are also responsible for two new projects under the Arts and Humanities Research Council’s Diasporas, Migration and Identities programme. One focuses on Bengali children’s identities in London and the other on second-generation return migration and notions of ‘home’ and ‘belonging’ in Greece and Cyprus.
Another area of research studies issues surrounding the social exclusion of migrant groups from mainstream society. We are examining the two-way relationship between immigrants and the host society, and the impact of the immigration process on children's identities.
These are just some of our projects that provide expert analysis of migration and its effects. Our research seeks both to challenge the many myths about migration and to shape the national and international policy agendas.
