Methodological approach

In order to address our research aims and questions and meet both the research and training objectives, the project employs a research and training programme with large components of self-learning through an in-depth empirical examination of migration governance and migrants’ experiences in non-Western migration locales. Reflecting on the multilevel perspective (global, regional and national levels), MARS is built around three Research Streams (RS), each of which includes the use of specific methods and tools from various disciplines (MARS partners come from various disciplines). This will allow both the research programme as a whole and fellows as individuals to benefit from a multidisciplinary environment. This allows the project to adopt a more holistic approach and to produce results and methodological tools that can be used across disciplines and regions. With this in mind, the MARS methodology integrates research with regular training components during all phases of the project so as to build and consolidate the fellows’ expertise and skillsets by providing them with high-quality training. These approaches will enable fellows to acquire solid theoretical, methodological and analytical skills. This strategy will enhance the quality of the research, its results and the ability of the network to engage in discussions with a variety of stakeholders. The research methodology is structured into four phases, each with a distinct focus and function in order to meet the research and training objectives of the project. Each phase has two major objectives:

1) Consolidate, complement and expand each fellow’s skills portfolio and expertise, by means of secondments to another partner. Each researcher and team will be progressively exposed to different disciplinary perspectives, intersectoral experience and different regional contexts, resulting into the acquisition of novel expertise and knowledge on migration governance and migrants’ experiences in non-Western migration locales, and the most-appropriate techniques to investigate it. In addition to expertise and research skills, MARS fellows will gain transferable skills in research design and management, cross-regional and cross-sectoral collaborations. Our goal is to empower researchers in a variety of settings and sectors by devising and implementing a dissemination strategy designed to different audiences, reaching out and engaging with policy stakeholders, and advising in development matters, increasing the employability of fellows across a variety of sectors, beyond the academia.

2) Ensure full consistency between the MARS’s training and research component. By building the capacity of the fellows and their teams, we intend to involve them in all the project phases, from project design to implementation and dissemination. We aim at developing and implementing a robust methodology for the collection, operationalisation and analysis of empirical data, producing cutting-edge research findings applicable and replicable beyond our target regions and countries. This will allow us to contribute to global academic debates on the governance of migration and mobilities as well as to the global and national efforts to facilitate safe, regular and orderly migration. In addition, to facilitate the knowledge transfer as well as integrate the seconded fellow into hosting institutions environment, during her/his secondment each fellow will be assigned a supervisor/mentor with whom she/he will meet regularly. 

Phase 1: Legal, Institutional and Historical Context Analysis and Theoretical Framework;

Phase 2: Research design continued and the onset of data collection;

Phase 3: Capacity building and data collection continued;

Phase 4: Interpretation of data and evaluation of implications and dissemination.