Anthropological migration research deals with movements of people and with the transformations of society through migration.
Migration is a global phenomenon. Global power relations as well as local conflicts shape the movements of people. Furthermore, migration may be triggered by climate change, natural disasters, changing situations of property and ownership or by political crises. The long-term migration which may result from upheaval, the need of employment or family reunification leads to new social challenges such as local integration and transnational relationships.
Through this focus on the interconnectedness of migratory movements and the transformation of society, topics such as social diversity, belonging and identification, gender and kinship as well as the transformation of urban and rural spaces have become central themes within the anthropology of migration. Current research projects at our institute explore how issues of life and death are dealt with at the EU borders, how authorities deal with adolescent refugees especially with regard to tensions between child protection and asylum law and with how eligibilities, evidence and credibility are negotiated and constructed in asylum procedures. Furthermore, aspects of more short-term mobility (tourism, study exchanges, and "expats") also constitute important research topics within the anthropology of migration.
Migration related topics are taught in all three master programs.
