Research-Policy Relations and Migration Studies

Abstract

Migration research and policymaking can interact in many different ways. Sometimes policy actors are directly or indirectly involved in defining migration research, for instance, by commissioning specific studies or developing funding schemes with specific objectives. Alternatively, research can also play a role in agenda setting, defining policy problems and triggering policy responses. This chapter examines how different configurations of research-policy relations can affect (and have affected) qualitative (as well as quantitative) migration research. The chapter looks at policy-related as well as academic factors that play a role in configuring mutual relations, at the European and the national level as well as the local level. Amongst others, the chapter will discuss the role of European and national funding schemes, advisory bodies, knowledge institutes and the role of international research networks such as IMISCOE. In particular, the chapter makes the argument that research-policy relations, when involving strong relations of mutual interdependency, could have a constraining effect on research questions and methodologies in migration research. This applies to qualitative as well as quantitative research. A more reflective attitude in research-policy dialogues could, in contrast, lead to more critical reflection based on migration research and prevent paradigmatic closure.