Migration, citizenship and social justice

Our cluster of interdisciplinary scholars focuses on research related to migration, citizenship, inequality, and social justice.

Expertise

Our expertise covers a wide range of areas, including:

  • migrant and ethnic minority children, young people, and families
  • statelessness and other forms of non-citizenship
  • political engagement and participation
  • the intersection of welfare systems and migration regimes
  • public health and migration
  • religious identities
  • everyday experiences of difference, belonging, and community in urban settings.

We carry out research on issues both in the UK and internationally. We are committed to undertaking work that informs policy and promotes equity and inclusion.

Our cluster brings together researchers from a wide range of fields, including anthropology, psychology, sociology, social policy, and psychosocial studies. 

We also co-host Migration and Society, an interdisciplinary and peer-reviewed journal, which encourages new thinking on all forms of migration.

Our research focuses on:

  • advancing understanding through empirical real-world research
  • building lasting and sustainable partnerships with the communities we work with
  • turning our research findings into real-world actions and policies
  • encouraging cross-sector collaboration to create positive change in migration, citizenship, and social justice.

Methods 

We have expertise in qualitative, quantitative, multi-modal, and collaborative research. Our strengths lie in participatory, co-produced, ethnographic, film and arts-based methods. 

Funders 

Our researchers have been funded by: the British Academy, European Commission, DfE, Leverhulme Trust, Marie-Sklodowska Curie Horizon Europe Actions, NIHR, Nordforsk, UKRI, Wellcome Trust, as well as local authorities and charities.

Partners and collaborators 

We work with colleagues across UCL, including The Migration Research Unit (MRU), Refuge in a Moving World, the UCL Creative Health Community, and the Critical Childhood Studies Centre. 

We collaborate with a range of policy and third sector organisations working on migration, inequalities and social justice including: 

  • Bangladesh Academy Los Angeles
  • Brick Lane Circle
  • Cambridge Refugee Resettlement Campaign
  • Displaced Collective
  • Doncaster Conversation Club
  • Fair Food Futures UK
  • Helping Empower Lives in Peterborough
  • Imkaan Welfare Organization
  • Institute of Statelessness and Inclusion
  • Kent Refugee Action Network
  • London Borough of Tower Hamlets (Tackling Poverty Team)
  • Project 17
  • South London Refugee Association
  • St Augustine’s Centre Halifax
  • Swadhinata Trust
  • UNHCR.

Find out more about our projects

Researchers

PhD students

Affiliated members