Laboratory

Migration and Mobility

At a Glance Projects Publications Team

Research Area

Integration and Segregation

Measuring patterns of integration and segregation of immigrants is challenging, in part because these concepts are multidimensional, but we have only limited data and indicators. Projects conducted in this research area leverage digital trace data and primary data collections to narrow the data gap in measuring the complex dynamics of the integration and segregation of migrants. The objective is to shed new light on the underlying causes and consequences of these dynamics.

A core set of research projects harnesses social media data and their unique features to propose novel approaches to measuring patterns of integration within both offline and online spaces. Typically, research on migrant integration has primarily focused on studying interactions and relationships between migrants and natives in physical spaces, such as neighborhoods and schools, and along socioeconomic dimensions. However, the advent of the Internet and the proliferation of social media platforms have led to a significant portion of human interaction in the digital realm. Activities and social connections formed online can significantly impact integration along traditional dimensions, potentially influencing the reduction or amplification of inequalities, while reflecting existing patterns of disparities. Our research not only focuses on exploring the variations and drivers of social integration among immigrants across offline and online spaces but also investigates the intertwined dynamics between these two domains.

Using digital trace data, we also offer measures of distance and similarity between countries in cultural preferences (e.g., using cultural markers, such as food preferences). Since cultural similarity may influence migration decisions, we employed gravity-type models to assess the extent to which measures of cultural similarity explain migration flows. Our findings indeed have indicated that similarities along certain cultural markers are often both a consequence and a predictive element of migration patterns.

Our research also explores the dynamics between immigration and attitudes toward immigrants and refugees, examining how these dynamics evolve over time and across different geographic locations. We leverage novel data sources that enable us to understand the relationships between the migration discourse on social media platforms and the integration of migrants. By combining traditional and digital trace data, we measure the media salience of immigration and examine how it amplifies the effect of refugee presence on anti-immigrant sentiments. The outcomes of this research will contribute to gaining a deeper understanding of the social and political dynamics surrounding immigration in contemporary Europe, and it will provide insights for addressing the challenges and opportunities of immigration for both native residents and settled immigrants.

Projects of this Research Area