'Celebrating ten years of the International Migration Institute' at St Anne’s College, University of Oxford, 13–15 January 2016
In January 2006 the International Migration Institute (IMI) was founded at Oxford University by Stephen Castles and Steven Vertovec with the aim of developing a long-term and forward-looking perspective on international migration as an intrinsic part of global change. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of IMI, this conference seeks both to review the progress made in reaching these aims and to explore new conceptual horizons for understanding migration processes and their impacts for origin and destination societies.
The aim of this interdisciplinary conference is to advance theoretical understanding of the nature, drivers and impacts of migration processes. Contributions will address questions central to the IMI research themes:
Drivers and Dynamics
How do processes of social transformation and development shape human mobility? In what ways are interrelated processes of internal and international migration driven by wider social, economic, technological and political transformations in origin and destination countries? What is the role of origin and destination states in shaping migration processes? To what extent do these insights challenges sedentary assumptions of policy?
Development, inequality and change
What are the implications of migration for development and social transformation in destination and origin societies? In particular, how does migration affect social, cultural and economic change as well as patterns of inequality? Why does migration seem to have more positive development outcomes in some settings, and more negative outcomes in others?
Diaspora, transnationalism and identity
How is globalisation affecting migrants’ ability and ways of sustaining long-distance and potentially inter-generational links with origin societies? How are transnational communities and diasporas formed? How do they impact on people’s identities? To what extent do they challenge conventional models of immigrant integration and the nation state?
IMI research agenda
IMI analyses migration as an intrinsic part of broader global transformation processes rather than a problem to be solved. Such understanding can provide the basis for policies designed to fully realise the potential benefits of migration for individuals and societies. It is interested in the following questions:
- What stimulates people’s migration?
- How do they undertake their journeys?
- How does migration affect societies of origin and destination?
- Can we anticipate future patterns of migration?
IMI pioneers new theoretical and methodological approaches, working with researchers and policy-makers across the world, with a particular emphasis on Africa.
Full conference programme, including keynote speakers, to be announced shortly via the website.