Theorizing the Evolution of European Migration Systems (THEMIS)

Led by Cindy Horst

Sep 2009 – Dec 2013

​​Norway is becoming an increasingly diverse society.

Norway is becoming an increasingly diverse society. People come here for a number of reasons, whether it is to study, work, reunite with their family, or seek refuge. In this project, we are interested in the different patterns of migration to Norway and to Europe. We ask under what conditions initial moves by pioneer migrants to Europe result in rapidly expanding network migration and the formation of migration systems, and under which conditions does this not happen? The THEMIS project will address this question theoretically, and through an empirical study of three migrant groups. Fieldwork will be conducted in cities in the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and United Kingdom. Our interests include, for example:

  • There has been an increase in the number of Ukrainians and Brazilians coming to Norway over the past decade. Why is that?
  • Why are there relatively many Moroccans living in Norway and the Netherlands, but hardly any in Portugal, which is geographically closer to Morocco?
  • How do Brazilians, Moroccans, and Ukrainians experience moving to Norway?
  • How do people keep in touch with the country where they were born? How do they keep in touch with each other in Norway?

THEMIS is funded by the NORFACE research programme on Migration in Europe. The projects is co-ordinated by the University of Oxford. In addition to PRIO, the project team includes the Erasmus University, Rotterdam, and the University of Lisbon.

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