One of our six research themes
At the Migration Policy Centre, we translate academic research into actionable insights for policymakers, civil society, and the public. Despite the growing body of migration research, evidence often struggles to influence real-world policy. Our work seeks to bridge this gap. We also explore ethical dilemmas in migration governance, from responsibility-sharing in asylum policies to the role of NGOs in search-and-rescue operations.
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Did you know?
The Evidence-to-Policy Gap: Research alone is not enough to influence migration policy. Policymakers operate in a complex landscape where electoral concerns, economic pressures, and public sentiment often take precedence over evidence-based recommendations .
The Role of Public Narratives in Policy Decisions: Media coverage and political discourse significantly shape migration debates. Misinformation and politicisation can distort evidence, influencing public opinion and policy outcomes.
Ethical Dilemmas in Migration Governance: Policymakers often face difficult trade-offs, such as balancing national security concerns with migrant rights. Research that takes ethical factors into account can lead to the development of fair and effective migration policies.
There's a growing 'evidence paradox' - with record investments in migration research but little actual use of that same research in policymaking.
Eleonora Milazzo
Research Fellow
The Co-Lab connects researchers, policymakers and practitioners to ensure evidence is useful, practical, and applicable for today's migration challenges.
22 November 2022
Most debate on migration policies in Europe pay little attention to the ways that day-to-day practices shape the reality of migration control. The notion of ‘a gap’ typically describes the relationship between migration policies...
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