Meth@Mig provides a forum for discussing methodological approaches and tools in migration research and assessing the best options available for tackling manifold methodological challenges. The Standing Committee takes on a pluralist perspective as it addresses (1) issues relevant across a wide range of research methods in migration studies, such as obtaining informed consent in cross-cultural settings, gaining access to hard-to-reach populations, operationalising relevant concepts, and leveraging the potential of new communication technologies, as well as (2) issues relevant for specific research approaches (be they quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods or experimental) as applied to the study of international migration in all its facets and dimensions.
Due to its transversal methodological profile, Meth@Mig is uniquely suited to cooperate with various other IMISCOE Standing Committees that are mainly defined by substantive research agendas. Such cooperation may, for instance, consist of jointly organised events or publications. The Standing Committee places special emphasis on sharing innovative procedures and on interconnecting researchers from different methodological schools as well as migration scholars and experts in research methodology.
Meth@Mig calls for panel, workshop, and paper proposals that fall into the framework of the Standing Committee.
In addition to the above, for the 2023 Annual Conference, Meth@Mig is particularly interested in paper proposals dealing with the following topic:
Methodological features of forced migration
Forced migration has attracted considerable political attention in recent years. Most involuntary displacements take place within the countries or regions of origin, yet improved communication and transport networks have driven growing shares of the affected to seek shelter in the global North, particularly Europe (cf. Syria; Ukraine). Looking ahead, the volume of international migration triggered by unbearable social, economic or environmental conditions, including war or natural disasters among many others, is likely to keep increasing.
Conceptually, involuntary migration is commonly distinguished from the (relatively) unforced kind by the existence of a manifest threat to one’s health or life, as opposed to the less imperative desires of improving one’s living conditions or reuniting with kin. However, the methodological implications of this definition have barely been addressed as yet. Can forced migration be studied appropriately with migration scholars’ customary array of methodological tools? Do studies of forced migration face any specific methodological limitations and challenges, and how might such problems be addressed?
This theme-specific call of papers, panels, workshops is launched by IMISCOE’s Standing Committee on Methodological Approaches and Tools in Migration Research (Meth@Mig) in the framework of IMISCOE’s 2023 annual conference. We are open to contributions from any methodological school or angle, e.g., qualitative, survey-based, mixed, or relying on digital trace data. However, a clear methodological focus is required. This means predominantly substantive papers are not appropriate for this call. Beyond the specific topic of this call, you are invited to submit high-quality contributions regarding any other methodological issue in migration research. If accepted, corresponding papers will be grouped in additional sessions.
How to submit your proposals:
Individual Paper Proposals
Paper proposals should include a 250-word abstract and the name, affiliation and contact details of the author(s). Individual papers will be thematically clustered into panels. We strongly encourage authors to highlight the conceptual and methodological novelty of their contribution.
Panel Proposals
Panel proposals should include a 250-word abstract of the theme of the panel, together with min 3/max 5 thematically consistent and related 250-word paper abstracts. Submissions should also include the name, affiliation and contact details of the chair(s), discussant(s) and author(s) of each paper.
Workshop Proposals
Proposals can also be submitted for workshops. This can be, for example, book workshops, policy workshops or round tables focusing on specific topics, with the aim of discussing research or outlining future research agendas. Submissions for workshops should include a maximum of 400-word abstract as well as the names, affiliations and contact details of the organizer(s) and workshop participants (up to 10 participants, excluding the workshop chairs).
The deadline for submitting proposals is 5 December 2022 (23:59 CET). Please submit your proposals through the IMISCOE submission platform and link them to the SC “Methodological Approaches and Tools in Migration Research”.