Workshop: Migration attitudes, polarisation, and policy analysis

Join a series of focused panels to examine factors influencing migration governance, the societal impact of migration debates, and the specific dynamics surrounding Ukrainian refugee migration.

This workshop aims to foster collaborative and synergistic research perspectives on migration-related topics, including public attitudes toward migration, migration-related polarization, and migration policy analysis.

The first panel will focus on public perceptions of migration and the socio-political mechanisms that drive polarisation on this issue. Discussions will explore how attitudes towards migration are shaped and what role moral values, fairness, and political discourse play in fuelling divisions.

The second panel will examine migration policies, analysing how governments respond to migration-related challenges. Researchers will discuss whether political leaders follow through on their immigration promises, how migration governance affects migrants’ decisions, and the broader implications for policy development.

The final panel will take a closer look at Ukrainian refugee migration, assessing the experiences of displaced Ukrainians in Europe. Topics will include their intention to return home, labour market integration, and how different European countries have implemented the Temporary Protection Directive.

This workshop is co-hosted by the Migration Policy Center (MPC) and the Mercator Forum Migration and Democracy (MIDEM).