Date: September 14–16, 2026
Venue: University of Vienna
Call for Panels and Papers
The question of relevance has long been debated in migration research. On the one hand, scholars often ask why research findings receive so little attention in politics and the public sphere. Many approaches deliberately engage with political debates in order to expand the view of underlying issues from both normative and empirical perspectives. On the other hand, some researchers reject such approaches altogether, arguing that research should free itself entirely from questions of immediate political relevance in order to create space for alternative perspectives on migration. Between these two poles lies a wide range of individual positions.
The 9th Annual Conference on Migration Research seeks to bring these perspectives into conversation. A key question is whether we should understand the two extremes not as contradictory but as complementary. In today’s context, where migrants face increasing restrictions on their mobility and rights due to restrictive policies, do we not need both approaches in order to generate alternative perspectives?
We invite migration researchers from all disciplines to join this debate. Discussions may not only reflect on the relationship between research, politics, and the public, but also on the internal relevance of migration within different academic fields. In the social sciences, for example, it has been suggested that migration research should “de-migrantize” by focusing less exclusively on migrants themselves, while the social sciences more broadly should “migrantize” by integrating migration into all analyses of social reality. Some even call for abolishing migration research altogether, arguing that it remains embedded in the neo-colonial perspectives of the Global North. How do such questions arise in other disciplines, and what alternative questions emerge from their particular perspectives on migration?
For academic research more generally, further issues arise: To what extent do career requirements—such as publishing in prestigious English-language journals and maintaining international mobility—limit the relevance of research for national and local contexts? While the international dimension of migration research is indispensable, should the transfer of international findings into concrete local and national settings be considered in evaluating scholarly contributions? Conversely, what is the relevance of academic research in an increasingly diverse environment where international organizations and private actors increasingly provide data—such as for digital border management—and where policy-oriented institutions and think tanks develop concrete policy solutions?
We aim to discuss these questions not only within academia but also in dialogue with civil society organizations, and, where possible, with policymakers and the media. We want to explore how relevance is understood across disciplines, how researchers normatively position themselves within these debates, and why they see their position as significant. We are also keen to hear from practitioners about how they view the relevance of research for their specific fields of work.
We invite proposals for panels, papers, and workshops. Submissions that approach the conference theme from different disciplinary, normative, theoretical, or practical perspectives will receive special consideration. However, there are no thematic restrictions: proposals may address any topic related to migration and integration. Proposals may be submitted in either English or German. In designing panels and workshops, diversity in all its dimensions should be taken into account. We particularly encourage collaboration across institutions, disciplines, faculties, and countries.
Panels
Proposals for 90-minute panels (comprising four short presentations) should include a provisional title and a description of the panel theme (approx. 800 words) highlighting its innovative potential in the context of existing research. Proposals should also include presentation titles and abstracts of approx. 250 words each, outlining the research question, theoretical and methodological approach, and, where applicable, data used. Panels should identify an independent discussant who will provide critical commentary and initiate the audience discussion. Only one 90-minute panel may be submitted per topic.
Papers
Proposals for individual papers may also be submitted outside the framework of panels. These should include a provisional title and an abstract of approx. 500 words, outlining the research question, theoretical and methodological approach, and, where applicable, data used. Interdisciplinary and internationally comparative contributions are particularly welcome.
Workshops
Workshops are intended to foster discussion of a topic through contributions from multiple experts. Proposals for 90-minute workshops should include a provisional title and a description of the workshop theme (approx. 800 words) that highlights its innovative potential. In addition, up to seven participants who will actively contribute to the discussion should be listed.
Each participant may submit only one paper (whether independently or as part of a panel). In addition, each participant may act once as a discussant in a panel and once as an expert in a workshop. There are no restrictions for serving as a chair.
Proposals should be submitted by January 19, 2026, via our conference management tool: http://www.conftool.org/migrationsforschung2026. The system will be open for submissions on 15 November 2025.
Decisions will be announced by April 6, 2026.
A broad-based program committee will support the organizers in evaluating proposals. In addition to quality and originality, the relevance to the overall conference theme will also be an important criterion.
Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel and accommodation. Suggestions for accommodation and further information about the conference will be available on the conference website: https://www.oeaw.ac.at/isr/9-jahrestagung-zur-migrationsforschung-in-oesterreich.
The conference fee is €300 (€150 for doctoral candidates). In exceptional cases, fee reductions or waivers may be granted.
This conference is organized by the Thematic Platform for Migration and Diversity of the Austrian Academy of Sciences.