Objectives

This research group brings together the researchers who are interested in the issues of Qualitative and Conceptual Research in Migration Studies. Its central aim is to review and map a research agenda addressing the following questions: when and why qualitative methodology becomes essential for researching migration, how it takes different shapes, adopts different logics, and uses different techniques, what kind of innovative qualitative research tools better serve to migration research, what kind of conceptual, theoretical and methodological challenges researchers in this field face, and how these challenges can be addressed and possibly lessened. We draw on the premise that the migration-related concepts are not cut in stone, nor value-free. Therefore, we aim to promote qualitative and conceptual research on new and old concepts related to migration studies such as integration, super-diversity, transnationalism, multi/interculturalism, cohesion, solidarity, equality, justice, secularism etc. In the context of these scientific objectives, this research group serves as a platform of researchers that come from diverse disciplinary and international backgrounds, work on conceptually different topics of the migration research agenda, use different research designs (comparative, single-case study, historical analysis etc.), and are at different stages of their professional careers.

This research group has three main objectives:

• Network management: By providing an institutionalized platform, this initiative aims to keep the affiliated members in touch with each other both through regular research group activities including panels, workshops, and other research and training sessions as well as though the channels of electronic communication.
• Research promotion: This research group aims to support research activities of its members, knowledge production and its dissemination in the area of qualitative research in migration studies. It encourages its members to initiate and collaborate in various European level funding schemes such as H2020. We discuss and disseminate the research outputs by regularly organizing panel and workshop sessions at IMISCOE annual meetings.
• Training development: We give a special priority to incorporate young researchers and graduate students into the research cluster network and encourage their participation in group activities. The group aims to contribute to methodological training of young researchers by organizing summer/winter schools and workshops on qualitative methods in migration studies.

Coordinators

• Ricard Zapata-Barrero (GRITIM –UPF) - ricard.zapata@upf.edu
• Evren Yalaz (GRITIM-UPF) - evren.yalaz@upf.edu
• Dirk Jacobs (Université Libre de Bruxelles-ULB) - dirk.jacobs@ulb.ac.be