Meanings and Measures of Migration Aspirations. Illustration: Jørgen Carling
Meanings and Measures of Migration Aspirations. Illustration: Jørgen Carling

We invite abstracts for a workshop that seeks to explore the forefront of research on the nature of migration aspirations and related concepts. That is, how can we conceptualize and empirically examine people’s thoughts and feelings about potentially migrating?

Submission deadline: Wednesday 24 September 2025. Workshop dates: 8–9 January 2026

While ‘migration aspirations’ has become the prominent theoretical concept, the workshop also relates to research that has used adjacent terms, including migration intentions, migration desires, residential preferences, settlement intentions, migration imaginaries, and aspirations to stay. The key element is the link between thoughts and feelings in the present, and prospective mobility in the future.

Submissions may be based on qualitative and/or quantitative approaches or be purely theoretical, and they may address international and/or internal migration. We welcome papers from across the social sciences and humanities and expect a multidisciplinary group of participants.

Regardless of the methods, scope and discipline, there should be an innovative element in how migration aspirations are conceptualized or measured. Possible areas of contribution include (but are not limited to) the following:

  • New approaches to eliciting thoughts and feelings about migrating
  • New conceptualizations of migration aspirations and related terms
  • New forms of data on thoughts and feelings about migrating
  • New ways of differentiating between forms of migration aspirations
  • New approaches to emic notions of thoughts and feelings about migrating
  • New takes on the link between migration and life aspirations

The workshop is organized in conjunction with the ERC project Future Migration as Present Fact (FUMI) and also extends from panels on migration aspirations at the past several IMISCOE conferences.

Timeline

  • 24 September 2025 - Deadline for submitting extended abstracts (300–400 words)
  • 29 September 2025 - Notification of applicants
  • 31 December 2025 - Submission of draft papers
  • 8-9 January 2026 - Workshop dates

Abstract submission form

Organizers

  • Jørgen Carling (Peace Research Institute Oslo)
  • Naiara Rodríguez-Peña (University for Continuing Education Krems; University of Deusto)
  • Tone Sommerfelt (Peace Research Institute Oslo)