Traditional academia has long drawn clear distinctions between the researcher and the subject of study, positioning objective, external observation as the foundation of legitimate knowledge. This perspective, particularly in the social sciences, has often meant that individuals’ lived experiences are only validated when interpreted by an external authority. Yet, this approach reinforces knowledge hierarchies that mirror broader societal inequalities.
“We are tired of being studied,” says Antonia Ávalos, president of Mujeres Supervivientes, a migrant women-led organization in Seville, Spain. “Power structures have historically positioned migrant women as mere sources of information, with our knowledge and experiences often left in academic archives or used in presentations—without bringing real change to our lives.”
Her words resonate with the experience of many members of PICUM, a network of 155 civil society organisations across 34 countries advocating for the rights of undocumented migrants. Many migrants and activists are frequently consulted and interviewed, yet rarely involved in shaping research questions or methodologies, or analysing the results.
At PICUM we celebrate the current shifts in trends on migration research, where approaches like participatory action research (PAR) and community-based engagement are becoming more visible. This is also reflected in IMISCOE Annual Conferences, where the focus on reflexivity on migration as a social construction (Lisbon, 2024), decentring migration studies (Paris, 2025) and strengthening migration studies through community engagement (Girona, 2026) are indicators of an intention towards a change in the way of conceiving migration studies.
We firmly believe that migrants should participate meaningfully at all stages of policy design and implementation on issues affecting their living and working conditions, even when that means reflecting on lessons learned and changing the way we are used to doing things. It is both an ethical requirement and a matter of effectiveness, as policies grounded in migrants’ lived experiences are more targeted and efficient. Academia may benefit from following the same logic, acknowledging the diverse sources of knowledge production outside of traditional academic institutions, including by migrants and by civil society. A fair recognition also would imply allocating resources for these voices outside academia, and encouraging funders and institutional actors to properly fund and incorporate approaches like participatory action research (PAR).
Lastly, in the current political context, marked by uncertainty and by policies that too often move away from evidence and from a human-rights-centred approach, it is more important than ever to reaffirm the value of rigorous, action-oriented research. Our advocacy is grounded in evidence, and we believe that strong, sustained collaboration between academia and civil society should aim not only to generate knowledge, but also to produce real, tangible improvements in people’s lives. By bridging research and practice, such partnerships can help shape fairer policies, strengthen social cohesion, and contribute to more just and inclusive communities.
Michele LeVoy is the Director of PICUM, where she has led the organization for nearly two decades, advocating for the human rights of undocumented migrants at both European and global levels. She has also served on the boards of several civil society organisations across the EU and internationally. Michele holds degrees in French and Justice and Peace Studies, as well as a Master’s in Applied Sciences in Housing and Development.