Publications
Innovative methods for studying migration dynamics: Insights from the DYNAMIG project
This report presents methodological insights from the DYNAMIG project, which studies migration decision-making as a dynamic and evolving process rather than a one-off choice. Gender mainstreaming is essential. Gender norms and inequalities shape migration aspirations and constraints and affect who can be reached by different research methods. Social media advertising enables fast, scalable recruitment for survey experiments in the Global South, but systematically produces gender and access biases that require active correction and monitoring. Elite conjoint survey experiments provide structured and rare evidence on how policymakers and experts understand migration drivers and policy levers, complementing migrant-focused data. Digital diaries capture migration decision-making as it unfolds over time, revealing shifts in aspirations, emotions, and information that retrospective approaches miss. Visual elicitation tools, such as the Blob Bridge, help access affective and relational dimensions of migration that are difficult to verbalize through standard interviews. Overall, the report shows that migration research benefits from combining complementary methods within designs that are context-sensitive, ethically grounded, especially if researchers are aware of and appropriately deal with their limits.
Migration Decision Making and Heterogeneities, Infrastructures and Trajectories of African Migrations
This report examines migrant decision-making processes among African populations through a comparative, multi-sited qualitative study conducted in Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, and diasporas in Italy and the UK. Drawing on 179 semi-structured interviews and 18 longitudinal digital diaries collected between 2023 and 2024, it reveals migration aspirations, planning and trajectories as iterative and contextually contingent, rather than linear or predetermined. Analysis demonstrates significant heterogeneity in decision-making stages - from non-migration and aspiration to preparation, transit, settlement, and return - with participants frequently oscillating between these positions amid evolving personal circumstances, social networks and structural constraints. Legal statuses varied widely, encompassing internal migrants, regional movers, refugees, long-term European residents, returnees, and users of regular/irregular pathways.
The DYNAMIG magazine
Evidence alone cannot resolve political debates, but it can help policy discussions start from a clearer picture of the realities people face. We hope this special issue supports a deeper and more nuanced understanding of migration decision-making. International Migrants Day is a reminder of the value of that clarity and the importance of continuing to bridge research and policy in the years ahead.
The three stages of the pre-migration journey: Insights from digital diaries
Necla Acik reflects on her experience with digital diaries, where she followed 18 individuals over half a year to explore how migration decisions take shape. The diaries reveal that migration begins long before departure, unfolding as a pre-migration ‘journey’ with three key stages. Understanding this process is essential to ensuring safe migration pathways.
Policing borders or providing prospects? How opportunity shapes mobility
Recent research suggests that improving living conditions and prospects can reduce the desire to migrate, an insight further explored in an ongoing DYNAMIG study. Lena Detlefsen, Tobias Heidland and Claas Schneiderheinze argue that fostering optimism and opportunity in countries of origin may be more effective than the restrictive border control measures Western countries often prioritise.
Cutting aid, fuelling irregular migration? The possible unintended effects of global aid cuts
Aid has been increasingly used to control migration, although its effectiveness remains debated. Pointing to new evidence suggesting aid used to improve living conditions can indeed reduce migration aspirations, Anna Knoll and Tobias Heidland warn that global aid cuts might backfire.
How shifting gender norms are shaping migration decisions across Africa
Ahead of International Women’s Day, Omololá Olárìndé explores how changing gender norms are shaping migration decisions in Africa, drawing from interviews with over 150 people in Kenya, Nigeria and Morocco.
Beyond the data: Migrants’ experiences in research – Part 3
On International Migrants Day, AspirE, DYNAMIG and PACES want to honour and reflect on the voices of migrants in migration research. In this three-part interview series, we focus on how (aspiring) migrants experienced their participation in our research. Through their reflections, we aim to shed light on the human side of academic studies, exploring what it means to share one’s story. In the third interview, we hear from Felicity.
Video series – Work in progress: DYNAMIG research findings
In this series of short videos, the DYNAMIG project team dive into the research they are conducting and share some initial findings.
Emerging insights from our work in Kenya, Morocco and Nigeria
Omololá Olárìndé and Necla Acik share some of the emerging findings of our research, focusing on social media and gender, and reflect on what they take away from the workshops in Ilara-Mokin, Nairobi and Rabat.