Data collection practices in migration studies have traditionally been limited to observations before migration in origin countries or after migration in destination countries. These practices have importantly shaped the conceptualization of migration – leading to enduring dichotomies between migrants and non-migrants or first- and second-generation migrants – and have often failed to recognize complex patterns of repeat migration and the diversity of migration experiences. Among others, this undermines our knowledge by constraining our capacity to ascertain and accurately measure migration rates (owing to multiple movements by migrants), uncover the intricacy and variety of migration trajectories (owing to intricate patterns of repeat, return, and circular mobility), and comprehend the selectivity of migration (owing to the recursive and reinforcing role of migration, even in earlier life stages).
This webinar will spotlight an emerging data infrastructure that offers a distinct chance to initiate a transformation in how we approach the study of migration, shifting from viewing it as the result of a one-off event to understanding it as a lifelong trajectory that spans across countries.
The webinar will address the imperative of investigating international migration trajectories alongside accomplished migration researchers who have played pivotal roles in gathering, assembling, or utilizing innovative migration datasets with longitudinal elements. These datasets encompass cross-national administrative records, digital traces, and survey data. The panellists will share insights from their experiences in collecting and harnessing these pioneering datasets, offering recommendations for future data collection endeavours that support the examination of migration trajectories and the analysis of connections between various forms of population movement overtime.
Webinar structure
The webinar will include a brief introduction by Sergi Vidal on the importance of longitudinal data to study international migrations, followed by a panel discussion with four speakers – Aliakbar Akbaritabar, Nikola Sander, Rosa Weber, Marcela Cerruti – facilitated by Claudia Brunori, and by a Q&A session with the audience.
When: 7 March 2024 – 14:00-15:30 Universal Time
6:00 Los Angeles | 9:00 New York | 11:00 Buenos Aires
15:00 Paris | 19:30 New Delhi | 22:00 Shanghai
More info: https://iussp.org/en/innovations-data-infrastructure-longitudinal-study-international-migration
Sergi Vidal 