Narratives and Politics of Migration
Our approach
Stories about migration matter. Public narratives shape how migration is understood, debated, and governed, influencing public opinion, political decision-making, and ideas about belonging, citizenship, and national identity. These narratives help define who is seen as part of a community, whose voices are heard, and which policy choices are viewed as legitimate or permissible.
In an era of heightened political polarization and rapid information flows, migration narratives are increasingly shaped by digital media, political actors, and civil society, as well as by migrants themselves. Understanding how these narratives are created, circulated, and contested is essential for building more informed, inclusive, and constructive public discourse about migration.
Our research focus
Research under this theme examines how migration narratives are formed and how they influence policy, culture, and the everyday experiences of migrants. It focuses on the relationship between discourse and power, and on how different actors, including governments, media, civil society, and migrants, shape and challenge dominant stories about migration.
Key areas of inquiry include:
- Political narratives about migration and asylum, and how they shape public attitudes, policy debates, and ideas of citizenship and belonging
- The evolution of national identity, multiculturalism, and inclusion in diverse societies, including how different groups experience and interpret these frameworks
- Comparative perspectives on how countries govern cultural and religious diversity, and how these approaches are changing in a globalized and digital world
- Migration narratives that centre multiple viewpoints, including those of migrants at destination, origin, and transit, as well as families and communities affected by migration
- The role of media and digital platforms in shaping migration debates, political mobilization, and public engagement