ESRC Seminar: Globalisation, Population Mobility and the Impact of Migration on Population

During a series of lunchtime seminars, the UK's leading social scientists will present their latest research and draw out the policy options.

The seminars aim to bring the best social science concepts and evidence into the policy arena and stimulate a discussion of how in the light of these insights, policy can be developed. The goal is to encourage evidence-based policy through an exchange between researchers and policy-makers.

Migration Seminar

There are two strands to the migration debate.  One is around migratory flows where statistics on people who are moving, where they are moving to and from and for what purpose, are of interest for a range of policy needs.  From an international perspective the UK is unusual in having large flows both into and out of the constituent countries.  This information is, of-course, of particular interest to those concerned with immigration policy but also has wider implications e.g. for labour market analyses or for pension planning.

The second strand is the impact of migratory flows on the population stock and the policy implications that this could have.  For example, information about the socio-demographic differences and similarities between the foreign-born population of the UK and the UK born population can help those monitoring the impact of government policies to encourage integration and equality, whilst celebrating cultural diversity.

The purpose of this seminar is to gain an insight into the main drivers of migration; how does the geographical mobility vary with socio-economic characteristics; the impact of the EU enlargement on migration flows; and to gain an understanding of whether policy-makers have the statistics on migration to support policy and if not what can be done to improve statistics, particularly in the context of increased population mobility whereby some people are commuting greater distances for their jobs.  

To attend a seminar, please contact Amanda Williams (amanda.williams@esrc.ac.uk) in the Economic and Social Research Council's Knowledge Transfer team on 01793 413126.