In view of the 23rd IMISCOE Annual Conference (29 June – 2 July 2026, Girona & online) on “Strengthening Migration Studies through Community Engagement”, we invite submissions for our panel on "What enables migration to contribute to development? Revisiting the Migration–
Development Nexus from Below".
Panel Convenor: Cathrine Talleraas (CMI) & Marta Bivand Erdal (PRIO)
Submission deadline: Monday 22 September 2025 11 am CET via this form
Panel abstract: This panel aims to foster critical discussions on when, how, and for whom migration supports development in lower and middle-income countries —and when it does not.
The links between migration and development remain highly debated—conceptually, empirically, and politically. While much attention is paid to how development affects migration patterns, or indeed on the inequality-linked impacts of migration in origin communities, relatively less focus is placed on what enables migration to contribute to development.
This panel invites papers that revisit the migration–development nexus from below, examining how migration can work for development in local communities, under different structural and governance conditions. We are especially interested in contributions that explore the economic and social development outcomes of migration in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), looking beyond formal policies to consider local actors, informal infrastructures, and everyday practices. Papers might address questions such as – but not limited to – these:
- How do different types of migration affect development outcomes, in different places?
- How are migration-related resources, which might potentially matter for development —such as remittances, skills, and networks—mobilised or constrained?
- What role do local institutions and community dynamics play?
- When, where and how does restrictive migration governance interact with efforts to harness migration for development?
- When and how does community engagement play a role – substantively for how migration might support development – and in knowledge production?
Here, development refers to the expansion of individuals’ capabilities and freedoms to lead lives they value. It encompasses improvements in well-being, access to resources, social inclusion, and the ability to participate meaningfully in society. In this context, development is not merely economic advancement, but the enhancement of human agency—especially for migrants and communities affected by migration, with particular emphasis on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
We welcome papers that are more theoretically oriented, as well as papers that are data-heavy and focus on empirically drawn insights, including case studies, comparative work, mixed-methods research, and community-engaged approaches.
Please submit your proposed paper title – abstract (max. 250 words) – and author details (name, affiliation, email) via this form by 11 am CET Monday 22 September. Notification of acceptance will be shared on 23 September. Accepted abstracts will be included in the panel proposal submitted to IMISCOE by the official deadline. Early-career researchers are especially encouraged to apply