MEMO - Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)

Rethinking migration systems through a multi-dimensional approach

The Complex Migration Flows and Multiple Drivers in Comparative Perspective (MEMO) is a six-year-long research project (2022 - 2028) that examines internal, interregional, and intercontinental migration flows and drivers across three main regions: South/Southeast Asia (Bangladesh, Nepal and Malaysia), West Africa (Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and the Ivory Coast) and the Americas (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Canada). Through the generous funding of $2.5 million from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council's Partnership Grant, MEMO brings together a diverse, multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary team of 38 academics and 32 partner organizations across three continents in this exploration of migration flows.

5 speakers are on a stage sitting down and one is speaking

 6 Year long Project

 12 Countries

 Team of 38+ Academics

 32+ Partner Organizations

$ 2.5 MiIlion in Funding

 Across 3 Continents

What is the MEMO Project? Watch the video below to learn more about the project.

Why People Move: Interconnected Drivers of Complex Migration – MEMO 2nd Annual Conference

MEMO Mexico Highlights

Bringing together researchers from diverse disciplines and regions, this 2-day conference highlighted the overlapping drivers of migration and the lived realities behind them. Through comparative case studies, quantitative modelling tools, and global collaborations, the panellists discussed why people move and what these patterns mean for future research and policy.

Full reccording of sessions avaialble here. (external link)

5 speakers are presenting a project in front of a crowd at the MEMO conference

5 different research team members posed in front of a slide show

5 speakers are presenting their project, but the crowd is not visible

A speaker is presenting a project while sat

5 research team members posed in front of a slide show

The MEMO team is posed for a picture outside in front of a building

More details about the MEMO Second Annual Conference, "Why People Move: Interconnected Drivers Of Complex Migration", including session recordings (external link)

International Migration: From Root Causes to Drivers – Joint Conference Between CERC Migration, MEMO Partnership Grant, and Bridging Divides

This conference examined the multiple drivers of migration, including social, economic, political, and environmental, as well as the ways in which they shape decision-making. It brought together a diverse group of stakeholders in the field of migration, including leading researchers, academics, policy-makers, students, and people from civil society organizations.

Welcome sign for the International Migration Conference. There is a door that is open next to the sign.

MEMO researchers standing outside of Oakham cafe.

A bird's eye view of a diverse crowd of people attending the MEMO conference at the Atrium at Toronto Metropolitan University.

A diverse crowd is facing a stage with blurry people on it. There is two hands that are raised waiting to ask a question.

Ashika Niraula speaking on a stage along with 3 other MEMO researchers.

A diverse crowd of professional peoples sat around different tables in an event hall.

A diverse group of people on a stage. One of them is speaking and the others are looking at her.

Four speakers are presenting on a stage in an event hall. Sin Yee Koh is speaking into a microphone.

Marcel Arevlao, Patricia Martin and Claudia Masferrer all on a stage. Marcel is speaking.

Luisa Veronis speaking into a microphone at a podium.

More information about the joint conference between CERC Migration, MEMO Partnership Grant, and Bridging Divides, "International Migration: From Root Causes to Drivers,"

Latest Academic Publications

Global Migration Institute, Working Papers. May 2026.

Based on 22 interviews, this study explores how interconnected drivers shape Bangladeshi migration and early settlement realities in Ontario.

Akbar, M. (2026). (PDF file) Migration Drivers and Postmigration Experiences of Bangladeshi Immigrants in Canada. The Global Migration Institute, Toronto Metropolitan University, Working Paper No. 2025/17.

To Publications

Modeling the Spatial Interplay Between Migration and Environmental Conditions.

This study uses three complementary geospatial and machine learning models to analyze local environmental migration drivers in Ghana.

Ghio, D., Hoyos‐Hoyos, S., Liu, G., Kyeremeh, E., McLeman, R., Resch, G., & Mazalek, A. (2026). Modeling the Spatial Interplay Between Migration and Environmental Conditions. (external link) Environmetrics, 37(1).

To Publications

Working Papers. Nepali immigrants in Canada: Complex pathways and experiences.

Using 25 interviews, this paper explores how Nepali immigrants' "dream country" expectations clash with actual settlement struggles in Ontario.

Shivakoti, R., & Nagari, D. (2025). Nepali immigrants in Canada: Complex pathways and experiences. TMCIS and CERC in Migration and Integration Working Paper No. 2025/17.

To Publications

Learn More About Our Academic Publications

Latest Public Engagements

Voces Desde FLACSO Podcast

In this edition, Marcel Arévalo, director of FLACSO Guatemala, reflects on the institutional trajectory in the study of migration and presents the international project MEMO, a comparative research initiative that analyzes the factors that influence migration processes in Asia, Africa and America.

The article highlights FLACSO’s commitment to knowledge generation, academic training and international collaboration to understand migration dynamics and contribute to the debate on the challenges of human mobility today.

We invite you to learn about this reflection on research, academic cooperation and migration.

Arévalo, M. (2026). Voces Desde FLACSO - MEMO [Podcast Interview]. Youtube.

The migration of Mexicans to Canada is a fairly recent phenomenon; but from the beginning, migration processes and migration policy between the two countries have been marked by very important unequal power relations, reflecting more general processes of asymmetric economic integration.

Martin, P. (2025). Destino México: Migración y movilidades [Podcast interview]. With C. Masferrer.

Destino México: Migración y movilidades

Nepalis speak about their journeys to and lives in Canada - Nepal Now.

The number of Nepalis migrating to Canada has zoomed upwards in recent years, many of them first arriving as international students. They came for good education opportunities, free healthcare, and the promise of secure, stable futures.

Nepalis speak about their journeys to and lives in Canada - Nepal Now. (2026, March 21). Buzzsprout

Learn more about our public engagements

Complex Migration Flows and Multiple Drivers in Comparative Perspective (MEMO)

Rethinking migration systems through a multi-dimensional approach

What is the MEMO Project? Watch the video below to learn more about the project.

Why People Move: Interconnected Drivers of Complex Migration – MEMO 2nd Annual Conference

International Migration: From Root Causes to Drivers – Joint Conference Between CERC Migration, MEMO Partnership Grant, and Bridging Divides

Latest Academic Publications

Latest Public Engagements

Research Partners