The Slovenian Migration Institute (SMI) is part of the Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts (ZRC SAZU) and is the only academic institute in Slovenia dedicated exclusively to migration research. Since its establishment in 1986, the Institute has developed into a leading national and internationally recognised centre for interdisciplinary migration studies. Bringing together researchers from history, sociology, anthropology, geography, ethnology, cultural studies, political science, and related disciplines, SMI examines migration as a complex social, cultural, political, and historical phenomenon.
The Institute's research covers a broad spectrum of migration-related topics, including emigration from and immigration to Slovenia, diaspora and transnational communities, return migration, labour mobility, migration governance, integration processes, citizenship, border regimes, and refugee movements. Researchers also investigate the cultural and artistic dimensions of migration, including migrant heritage, literature, visual culture, identity formation, and memory practices. Particular attention is given to the experiences of migrants and their descendants, as well as to the social, economic, and political contexts that shape mobility and belonging.
SMI combines historical and contemporary perspectives on migration. Its work ranges from studies of Slovenian emigration and diaspora communities to research on current migration challenges such as labour migration, migrant integration, refugee reception, social inclusion, and the consequences of forced displacement. The Institute has developed strong expertise in qualitative and participatory methodologies, narrative research, oral history, ethnography, and policy-oriented studies, enabling it to bridge theoretical innovation with practical societal relevance.
Research activities are conducted through numerous national and international projects funded by European and Slovenian research programmes. Recent projects have addressed topics such as migrant integration, refugee housing, labour mobility and the posting of workers, migrant entrepreneurship, diaspora policies, migrant heritage, and social protection. The Institute has also collaborated extensively with public authorities, municipalities, international organisations, and civil society actors, providing evidence-based research to support policymaking and public debate.
A distinctive feature of SMI is its integration within the broader research environment of ZRC SAZU, where collaboration with scholars in history, anthropology, geography, linguistics, cultural studies, and other disciplines allows migration to be studied from multiple perspectives. The Institute also contributes to education and capacity building through its involvement in the European Master's Programme in Migration and Intercultural Relations (EMMIR), international training activities, and mentorship of doctoral researchers. Furthermore, it publishes the international scientific journal Dve domovini / Two Homelands, one of the key migration studies journals in Central and South-Eastern Europe.
Within IMISCOE, SMI sees its role as contributing a strong interdisciplinary perspective and extensive expertise on migration processes in Central, Eastern, and South-Eastern Europe. Slovenia occupies a unique position at the intersection of Alpine, Mediterranean, Balkan, and Central European migration routes, providing valuable insights into historical and contemporary mobility patterns, border dynamics, labour migration, integration processes, and refugee movements.
The Institute aims to contribute actively to IMISCOE's research network through comparative research, participation in Standing Committees, collaborative projects, publications, and doctoral training. SMI researchers bring expertise that aligns closely with several IMISCOE thematic areas, including migration governance and citizenship, labour migration, forced migration and refugees, education and social inclusion, gender and migration, migration methodologies, and arts, culture, and migration. Through these contributions, SMI seeks not only to share knowledge generated in Slovenia and the wider region but also to strengthen international cooperation and advance innovative migration research across Europe.
By joining IMISCOE, the Slovenian Migration Institute hopes to deepen existing collaborations, develop new comparative perspectives, and contribute to a more inclusive and diverse understanding of migration in Europe and beyond.