MIrreM Spring School

Approaching Irregular Migration from a Quantitative Perspective: Data, Estimates, Methods

Following the 2025 IMISCOE Spring Conference, the MIrreM Spring School will take place offering training on data and estimates on irregular migration. 

Are you a PhD researcher, postdoctoral researcher, or a professional conducting research on irregular migration? Are you interested in the quantitative aspects of irregular migration in Europe, North Africa and North America? Have you been using—or are you curious about using—statistical data or estimates on irregular migrant populations? Do you want to better understand the limitations and potential of available statistical data, methods for estimating the irregular migrant population, or techniques for measuring their characteristics, working conditions, and living conditions? If so, the MIrreM Spring School is a must-attend training opportunity!

The MIrreM Spring School will take place from March 19 to March 21, 2025, on the campus of the University for Continuing Education Krems, Austria. It offers intensive training in the use and interpretation of available data and estimates related to irregular migration. Participants will engage in hands-on courses on: statistical indicators and estimation methods for irregular migration; conceptual discussions about measuring stocks and flows; and defining migrants with irregular status. The programme combines these practical sessions with lectures by experienced researchers and moderated discussions involving practitioners and policymakers.

Application Deadline: December 18, 2024.

The MIrreM Spring School is organised in conjunction with the IMISCOE Spring Conference 2025 on The Regularity of Irregularity – Rethinking Migration Paradigms, taking place in Krems between March 17 and March 19, 2025. Participants of the MIrreM Spring School are encouraged to attend the IMISCOE Spring Conference (attendance is free, but registration is required). The IMISCOE Spring Conference programme will be announced and registration opened in mid-January 2025.

Who Can Apply?

The MIrreM Spring School is open to:

• Early-career researchers, including PhD researchers and postdoctoral researchers (up to four years after completing their PhD).
• Other postgraduate researchers with at least one year of professional experience.
• Practitioners working in international organisations, media, civil society organisations, or government.

Applicants must have an excellent command of English. Reflecting the geographical scope of the MIrreM project and ensuring the best match between participants in the MIrreM Spring School and the expertise of presenters, we specifically invite researchers undertaking research on Europe, North Africa and North America.

Costs

Participation in the Spring School is free of charge. Coffee, light snacks, lunch, and one welcome dinner will be provided.

Participants are responsible for covering their own expenses. However, partial bursaries are available for those unable to secure financial support from their home institutions or without institutional affiliations. These bursaries cover accommodation in Krems, and in justified cases, a contribution towards transport costs may also be considered.

What Does the MIrreM Spring School entail?

The training programme spans two days and includes sessions on basic concepts and different ways to conceptualise migrant irregularity, available statistical indicators and estimates on irregular migration flows and stocks, estimation methods and the use of data on irregular migration, including ethical questions and the interpretation of data to assess policies.

Participants will get a certificate of attendance. We estimate that the total time effort required for the MIrreM Spring School is 25 hours (i.e. worth 1 ECTS).

How to Apply?

Applications must be submitted via email to mirremschool@donau-uni.ac.at. 

Applicants should include the following documents:

1. Short CV (maximum 4 pages):
– Include details on gender, nationality, country of birth, current country of residence, professional experience, education and training, language skills, and familiarity with relevant software tools.
– Additional information, such as international experience, volunteering, and publications, can also be included.
– The Europass CV format is recommended (https://europa.eu/europass/eportfolio/screen/profile-wizard?lang=en).
2. Cover Letter (approx. 2 pages or 1,000 words; 3 pages or 1,500 words if requesting a bursary):
– Outline your current position, research interests, prior knowledge of irregular migration, and familiarity with official statistics/data.
– Describe your use of statistics on migration and how our training will benefit your work.
– Indicate any specific interests or learning goals.
– Please clearly state whether you require a bursary (Yes or No). If applying for a bursary, provide a justification and an estimate of expected costs. Include a confirmation from your employer/institution stating that they cannot cover the costs as a separate document.
3. Letter of Recommendation:
– From your supervisor or a comparable reference person.
4. Abstract of completed or ongoing research project or research paper.
Participants will be informed of the decision by January 10. After acceptance for the MIrreM Spring School, admitted participants will be asked to complete a short essay of a maximum of 1500 words. This essay will be used as an input for discussions during the MIrreM spring school (deadline: February 10) and forms part of the admission requirements.

Download the draft Program of MIrreM Spring School here!

Note: the programme may still be subject to changes. More detailed descriptions of session contents will be posted in early February 2025, also taking into account the profile and interests of participants.