Research Cluster Migration Processes and Drivers

The research cluster brings together a group of researchers at the University for Continuing Education Krems (UWK) who are interested in understanding what drives (im)mobilities across the globe in a context of (de-)globalisation and economic and political (dis)integration processes. The cluster aims at providing an open space to share and discuss work-in-progress as well as emerging ideas, among UWK colleagues and beyond.

As a team, we study different types of migration, such as conflict-induced migration, climate-induced migration, labour migration, irregular migration, mixed migration and share a perspective, which studies (im)mobilities along migration and displacement trajectories and over time. This includes different facets of spatial (im)mobility such as staying, migrating, moving on and returning, and the question of how (im)mobilities relate to life aspirations, wellbeing, and (dis)integration and re-integration processes. In particular, we are interested in exploring the interplay between agency and structure in migration processes, the development-migration nexus, social and political change as part of migration processes, the state as a migration driver, the role of labour and employment for migration, the question of how demographic aspects, emotions and urban spaces link to migration processes.

Conceptually and methodologically, we aim to bridge disciplines, combine macro with micro perspectives, and study migration processes and drivers across the Global South-Global North divide. We work with both, quantitative and qualitative methods, and have various methodological expertise, ranging from Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), ethnography, in-depth interviews, life history interviews, expert interviews, archival research, policy analysis, individual and household survey research and administrative data analysis.

Current related projects

• Aligning Migration Management and the Migration–Development Nexus | MIGNEX (Horizon2020, 2018-2024)
• Afghan Diaspora in Europe: The Agents of Peace and Development (NFB, 2019-2023)
• Development implications of involuntary immobility in Africa (FWF, 2023-2027)
• Dynamics of adaptive migration aspirations in Nepal and beyond | DYNAMIGS (GFF, 2023-2026)
• Syrian Imaginations of Europe meet Reality | SYREALITY (FWF, 2022-2026)
• The power of place: Relative (im)mobility in contexts of environmental change and conflict co-occurrence in Ethiopia (GFF, 2024-2027)

Past related projects

• Back to the Roots. Return Migration of Highly Skilled Turkish Origin Migrants from Austria to Turkey (NFB, 2018-2021)
• Cross Migration (Horizon2020, 2018-2020)
• Smart Asylum and Migration Governance | SMAG (Ministry of Interior, 2020-2022)

• Adovor, E.; Czaika, M.; Docquier, F.; Moullan, Y. (2021). Medical brain drain:how many, where and why? Journal of Health Economics, 76: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhealeco.2020.102409
• Ahrens, J. (2022). Returning to Where? - Onward Migration and Diverse ‘Return’ Mobilities amongst Nigerian Transnational Families in Europe. African Diaspora, 14(1): 35-63, Brill.
• Ahrens, J.; King, R. (2022). Onward Migration and Transnationalism: What Are the Interconnections? In: Ahrens J; King, R. (eds.), Onward Migration and Multi-Sited Transnationalism - Complex Trajectories, Practices and Ties: 1-22, Springer Cham, München
• Czaika M.; Weisner Z. (2023) A Qualitative Comparative Analysis of the determination of migration processes. MIGNEX Background Paper. Oslo: Peace Research Institute Oslo. www.mignex.org/d064  
• Czaika, M., & Münz, R. (2022). Climate Change, Displacement, Mobility and Migration: The State of Evidence, Future Scenarios, Policy Options. Stockholm: DELMI.
• Czaika, M.; Bijak, J.; Prike, T. (2021). Migration Decision-Making and Ist Key Dimensions. The ANNALS of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 697 (1): 15-31 
• Czaika, M.; Godin, M. (2021). Disentangling the migration-development nexus using QCA. Migration and Development, Volume 10 2021: https://doi.org/10.1080/21632324.2020.1866878
• Czaika, M.; Reinprecht, C. (2020). Drivers of migration. A synthesis of knowledge. International Migration Review, No. 163: 1-45
• Kohlenberger, J., Rengs, B. & Buber-Ennser, I. (2022) Nuclear family and social capital of refugees in Austria. International Migration, 1– 19, https://doi.org/10.1111/imig.13073
• Müller-Funk, L. (2023). Violence, life aspirations and displacement trajectories in civil war. International Migration, 61: 209–227. https://doi.org/10.1111/imig.13161
• Müller-Funk, L.; Üstübici, A.; Belloni, M. (2023). Daring to aspire: theorising aspirations in contexts of displacement and highly constrained mobility. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies (online first). https://doi.org/10.1080/1369183X.2023.2208291
• Müller-Funk, L.; Fransen, S. (2022). ’I will return strong’: The role of life aspirations in refugees’ return migration. International Migration Review, https://doi.org/10.1177/01979183221131554.
• Müller-Funk, L. (2020). “Research with refugees in fragile political contexts: How ethical reflections impact methodological choices.” Journal of Refugee Studies, 34(2): 2308–2332, https://doi.org/10.1093/jrs/feaa013.
• Neubauer, J. (forthcoming). Envisioning futures at new destinations: geographical imaginaries and migration aspirations of Nepali migrants moving to Malta. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies.
• Özdemir, V.; Springer, S.; Yildirim, A.; Biçer, S.; Kendirci, A.; Sardas, S.; Kiliç, H.; Hekim, N.; Kunej, T.; Arga, K.Y.; Dzobo, K.; Wang, W.; Geanta, M.; Brand, A.; Bayram, M. (2021). Thanatechnology and the Living Dead: New Concepts in Digital Transformation and Human-Computer Interaction. OMICS: A Journal of Integrative Biology, 25/7: 401-407
• Safi, A. A. (2019). Afghan refugees return 'home' to migrate again. In: Czaika M.; Rössl L.; Pfeffer T.; Altenburg F., Migration & Integration 8: Dialog zwischen Politik, Wissenschaft und Praxis: 223-232, Edition Donau Universität Krems.