INQUIRE MIGRATION RESEARCH LABORATORY PROGRAM

CREDI, in cooperation with the regional WB-MIGNET network, announces a call for applications for researchers for the InQuire Migration Research Laboratory Program as part of the Research Incubator program. 

From its inception, two cohorts of students from universities and public institutions in BiH finished their participation in the basic RI program. The previous two generations worked on different topics in social science research. Based on the experience working with candidates and the results of previous rounds, as well as consultation with partners, a new round of participants will be selected based on the topic selection (migration research). The program will be implemented in close collaboration with regional WB-MIGNET network, which gathers experienced migration scholars in the Western Balkan region. Recognizing that the region experiences high levels of emigration in different patterns, including forced migration and “brain drain”, migration crisis of the recent transit migration routes and recent immigration caused by the lack of available workforce, it is important to provide evidence for policymaking purposes. Before the establishment of the network, there were virtually no independent players with the complex analytical expertise necessary for policymaking. The relevant authorities tended to borrow expertise from abroad and are still rarely involved in the systematic data collection venture. In addition, policy changes are not informed by academically valid evidence. There is an overall lack of data on understanding the causes and effects of migration in the region, means to monitor flows and thus plan actions accordingly, and a lack of institutional capacities to design effective policies.

FORMAT: 15-week program with mandatory sessions to be attended by all participants, several alternative sessions according to the participant’s needs and interests, a closing session, and a presentation of all proposals at the end of the program. Each session will be organized on-line as a combination of presentations and live discussions between participants. The estimated time for each session is 2 hours. The program will be implemented in three phases. The first phase will include a set of sessions on different topics regarding drivers of migration, decision-making processes by migrants, forecasting migration, and selection of policy-relevant topics. The sessions in the first part will be condensed and will provide an overview of different research questions and approaches implemented to inform decisions made on the proposal topic by participants. The participants will be provided with 2 weeks to conduct an initial literature review and decide on the research topic that will be the subject of their proposal. The second phase will include a list of topics related to the refreshment of knowledge on basic concepts and definitions in social science research design and a variety of research methodologies and approaches that can be used for the development of research proposals. Each session will combine a theoretical presentation and practical exercise with an example of the research proposal chosen by one of the participants. During the sessions, all participants will be provided with an equal opportunity for their proposal to be subject to the practical exercise. After each session, the participants will get homework or assignments in the previously developed format, which will enable the smooth development of their research proposal. After the sessions are implemented in the second part, the participants will be provided with 2 weeks to fine-tune draft proposals and submit them to the InQuire team. Based on the quality of the research proposals, the InQuire team will assign mentors to participants to further develop their proposals. In parallel, participants will be provided with several sessions on ethical, gender, and cultural aspects of migration research and open science practices in migration research. At the end of the program implementation, participants will be invited to present their proposals at the students’ conference. The jury, composed of the InQuire team and mentors, will review the proposals and select the proposal for the Best Proposal Award.

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS FOR INQUIRE MIGRATION RESEARCH LABORATORY PROGRAM