Here to Stay? Identity, belonging and citizenship among Eastern European settled migrant children in the UK (a decade after EU Enlargement)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Strathclyde
Department Name: Social Policy
Abstract
Focus of the project
Eastern Europeans who have arrived in the UK in the last decade are the fastest growing ethnic groups in the UK. This study will be the first to focus specifically on Eastern European migrant children who have lived in the UK for at least three years, and to compare their everyday lives and sense of cultural and national identity and belonging in Scotland and England. The primary aim of the research is to inform public debate, policy makers and service providers on the issue of children of Eastern European migrants settled in Britain. The study will promote social inclusion, by exploring the experiences of settled migrant children in relation to the distinct discourses around migration, identity and citizenship in the UK and by ensuring that voices of children from the 'new' minority groups are taken into account in current debates on national identity. Settled migrant children's perspectives help us understand whether or not they are being socialised into their local communities' culture and can highlight the spatial and temporal dimensions of their social lives and opportunities for future. Concepts of ethnic and diasporic identity, belonging, transnationalism, culture and nation are taking new meanings across Europe and need reassessment and questioning when discussing national identity and social inclusion.
Evidence to be produced
By bringing together discourses on migration and integration of migrant groups with knowledge on how children experience these discourses in their everyday interactions, the study will generate new knowledge on the UK's new ethnic minority children and their long-term experiences of integration. Focussing on children aged 12-18 of Eastern European migrants living in the UK for 3+ years, the study will provide a unique understanding on migrant children's long term experiences of settlement, exploring family, peer and community social networks. Another key area of investigation will be children's expressed needs in terms of the array of services they use, issues in access and the extent to which services are meeting their needs. Third, we will explore the factors that enable children of Eastern European migrants to adapt to the new social, economic and political context of the regions in which they live, as they negotiate national, social, cultural and political identities in the context of a changing Europe. Data will be generated through a review of existing evidence, a survey of between 500-600 children across six urban, semi-urban/rural areas in the UK and focus groups with between 70-100 children. In depth case studies 16-20 families will also be conducted. A young people's advisory group will have a central role in the project development and dissemination.
Originality, contribution to knowledge and anticipated impact
The originality of the project stems from the consideration given to the ways in which Eastern European children living in diverse geographical spaces are engaged in on-going, dynamic processes of making sense of the world, and their place within it, at local, national and global levels. The study will fill a gap in information on newly settled migrant communities, with a view of informing policy and practice. Information on settled migrant children's social practices, educational achievement and aspirations, sense of cultural and national identity and belonging will provide insights into the extent of European migrant communities' integration in the UK, in the context of various representations of 'nation' that circulate in policy, political and public discourses. The study will address the relative absence of migrant children's voices in public debates and provide policy makers and the public with an improved understanding of the lives of children who were originally migrants, but have settled long-term in the UK. This information will be disseminated widely, to benefit children, service providers, policy makers and the general public.
Eastern Europeans who have arrived in the UK in the last decade are the fastest growing ethnic groups in the UK. This study will be the first to focus specifically on Eastern European migrant children who have lived in the UK for at least three years, and to compare their everyday lives and sense of cultural and national identity and belonging in Scotland and England. The primary aim of the research is to inform public debate, policy makers and service providers on the issue of children of Eastern European migrants settled in Britain. The study will promote social inclusion, by exploring the experiences of settled migrant children in relation to the distinct discourses around migration, identity and citizenship in the UK and by ensuring that voices of children from the 'new' minority groups are taken into account in current debates on national identity. Settled migrant children's perspectives help us understand whether or not they are being socialised into their local communities' culture and can highlight the spatial and temporal dimensions of their social lives and opportunities for future. Concepts of ethnic and diasporic identity, belonging, transnationalism, culture and nation are taking new meanings across Europe and need reassessment and questioning when discussing national identity and social inclusion.
Evidence to be produced
By bringing together discourses on migration and integration of migrant groups with knowledge on how children experience these discourses in their everyday interactions, the study will generate new knowledge on the UK's new ethnic minority children and their long-term experiences of integration. Focussing on children aged 12-18 of Eastern European migrants living in the UK for 3+ years, the study will provide a unique understanding on migrant children's long term experiences of settlement, exploring family, peer and community social networks. Another key area of investigation will be children's expressed needs in terms of the array of services they use, issues in access and the extent to which services are meeting their needs. Third, we will explore the factors that enable children of Eastern European migrants to adapt to the new social, economic and political context of the regions in which they live, as they negotiate national, social, cultural and political identities in the context of a changing Europe. Data will be generated through a review of existing evidence, a survey of between 500-600 children across six urban, semi-urban/rural areas in the UK and focus groups with between 70-100 children. In depth case studies 16-20 families will also be conducted. A young people's advisory group will have a central role in the project development and dissemination.
Originality, contribution to knowledge and anticipated impact
The originality of the project stems from the consideration given to the ways in which Eastern European children living in diverse geographical spaces are engaged in on-going, dynamic processes of making sense of the world, and their place within it, at local, national and global levels. The study will fill a gap in information on newly settled migrant communities, with a view of informing policy and practice. Information on settled migrant children's social practices, educational achievement and aspirations, sense of cultural and national identity and belonging will provide insights into the extent of European migrant communities' integration in the UK, in the context of various representations of 'nation' that circulate in policy, political and public discourses. The study will address the relative absence of migrant children's voices in public debates and provide policy makers and the public with an improved understanding of the lives of children who were originally migrants, but have settled long-term in the UK. This information will be disseminated widely, to benefit children, service providers, policy makers and the general public.
Planned Impact
The plans to ensure impact and how we will capture this are detailed in the 'Pathways to Impact' document in the attachment. In summary, through the proposed activities, a range of audiences will benefit from participation in events and opportunities to share good practice in supporting migrant groups and developing service delivery and policy targeted at inclusion of migrants, including:
1. Practitioners in Scotland and England working with children and families
The project will facilitate increased understanding of the complex issues of identity, belonging and access to opportunities for settled Eastern European migrants and draw key implications for improved service delivery. In order to facilitate these processes, student teachers/social workers in both host organisations and practitioners from services such as education, social work, health, leisure from public, private and third sector organisations will have the opportunity to take part in practice-oriented workshops, which will combine delivery of research-informed findings with opportunities for sharing good practice.
2. Policy makers and service managers
As the project has significant potential to inform policy in areas of social inclusion, education policy, service access etc., policy makers and service managers will be invited to contribute and attend the programme workshops and become familiar with the project findings, identifying opportunities to implement findings from the research into policy and practice; the planned events will provide further opportunities for cross-sharing of ideas between services and policy-making organisations at local and national level. Providing knowledge and insights from Eastern European children's perspective will enhance professionals' and policy makers' understanding of the particular difficulties children encounter in relation to access to opportunities, issues of identity and belonging. We will work closely with our existing contacts in Scotland and England to reach policy makers and service managers from a range of local authorities, government bodies and services.
3. Migrant children and young people
Eastern European migrants, currently the fastest growing minority group in the UK, will benefit from the project through participation in a mobile arts exhibition and the distribution of a child-friendly booklet entitled 'The lives of Eastern European children in Britain', representing stories of integration emerging from the research and accounts of children's experiences; this booklet will be freely available through the project website. They will also benefit from being represented in the research findings disseminated, giving them a voice in current debates and through improved practice and services.
4. Non-migrant children and families (general public)
The general public will benefit from a better understanding of Eastern European migrant children's lives. Knowledge and insights from the research will engage the general public in more informed debates on issues of diversity and equality in a democratic society. Currently, debates on the value of migration and issues of community engagement and social cohesion are mainly driven by sensationalist media and less informed by research. We will aim to engage the general public through community events organised in the six areas identified for the fieldwork and through regular contributions through press releases and public lectures of the research team. The mobile arts exhibition will give a vivid representation of children's experiences of views of aspects such as multiculturalism, intergenerational and community engagement, racism and experiences of ethnicity and will engage the general public through displays such as photos, videos, objects, collages etc. Our previous experience suggests that public perceptions can be challenged through art and children's voices and we will aim to make the travelling exhibition accessible to wide audiences.
1. Practitioners in Scotland and England working with children and families
The project will facilitate increased understanding of the complex issues of identity, belonging and access to opportunities for settled Eastern European migrants and draw key implications for improved service delivery. In order to facilitate these processes, student teachers/social workers in both host organisations and practitioners from services such as education, social work, health, leisure from public, private and third sector organisations will have the opportunity to take part in practice-oriented workshops, which will combine delivery of research-informed findings with opportunities for sharing good practice.
2. Policy makers and service managers
As the project has significant potential to inform policy in areas of social inclusion, education policy, service access etc., policy makers and service managers will be invited to contribute and attend the programme workshops and become familiar with the project findings, identifying opportunities to implement findings from the research into policy and practice; the planned events will provide further opportunities for cross-sharing of ideas between services and policy-making organisations at local and national level. Providing knowledge and insights from Eastern European children's perspective will enhance professionals' and policy makers' understanding of the particular difficulties children encounter in relation to access to opportunities, issues of identity and belonging. We will work closely with our existing contacts in Scotland and England to reach policy makers and service managers from a range of local authorities, government bodies and services.
3. Migrant children and young people
Eastern European migrants, currently the fastest growing minority group in the UK, will benefit from the project through participation in a mobile arts exhibition and the distribution of a child-friendly booklet entitled 'The lives of Eastern European children in Britain', representing stories of integration emerging from the research and accounts of children's experiences; this booklet will be freely available through the project website. They will also benefit from being represented in the research findings disseminated, giving them a voice in current debates and through improved practice and services.
4. Non-migrant children and families (general public)
The general public will benefit from a better understanding of Eastern European migrant children's lives. Knowledge and insights from the research will engage the general public in more informed debates on issues of diversity and equality in a democratic society. Currently, debates on the value of migration and issues of community engagement and social cohesion are mainly driven by sensationalist media and less informed by research. We will aim to engage the general public through community events organised in the six areas identified for the fieldwork and through regular contributions through press releases and public lectures of the research team. The mobile arts exhibition will give a vivid representation of children's experiences of views of aspects such as multiculturalism, intergenerational and community engagement, racism and experiences of ethnicity and will engage the general public through displays such as photos, videos, objects, collages etc. Our previous experience suggests that public perceptions can be challenged through art and children's voices and we will aim to make the travelling exhibition accessible to wide audiences.
Publications
Moskal M
(2021)
Young Europeans in Brexit Britain: Unsettling identities
in Global Networks
Sime D
(2020)
New Scots? Eastern European young people's feelings of belonging and national identity in Scotland post-Brexit
in Scottish Affairs
Sime D
(2022)
Marginalized (non)citizens: migrant youth political engagement, volunteering and performative citizenship in the context of Brexit
in Ethnic and Racial Studies
Sime D
(2022)
Performing whiteness: Central and Eastern European young people's experiences of xenophobia and racialisation in the UK post-Brexit
in Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies
Sime, D.
(2017)
Brexit and the future of EU-born young people living in the UK
Tyrrell N
(2018)
Belonging in Brexit Britain: Central and Eastern European 1.5 generation young people's experiences
in Population, Space and Place
| Title | Here to Stay? Art exhibition |
| Description | Art exhibition co-produced by artist Rachel Mimiec (Independent Artist) and six Eastern European young people aged 13-18 The exhibition was on show at Tramway, Glasgow, between 7th July- 25th August 2018 |
| Type Of Art | Artistic/Creative Exhibition |
| Year Produced | 2018 |
| Impact | The exhibition attracted over 3,000 visitors during the summer of 2018, including many international, as it coincided with the international championships hosted by Glasgow. The materials focused on challenging perceptions of children as migrants and ideas of belonging and to engage the public by challenging anti-immigration attitudes. We collected comments from the public on the exhibition. Examples of comments received: 'This is a provocative and complex exhibition about home and identity. As someone French and American visiting Glasgow for the first time, this feels relatable and timely- well done!' 'We learned to appreciate our cultural inheritance more and take more pride in it. We learned to appreciate other cultures more' 'As a Scottish mother with a bi-racial daughter whose parents can't live together because of immigration laws, it is always great to have a conversation on home, belonging and identity' 'The exhibition has made me feel more resolute about the need for borderless existence and respect for human choice' 'Made me appreciate where I come from more- an excellent exhibition' 'It's changed my thoughts about home and belonging because even if someone doesn't have a proper home, they can still be made to feel at home by friends and family' 'The exhibition made me think deeper about the struggles faced by Eastern European children in Scotland and the discrimination they face' |
| URL | https://www.flickr.com/gp/94070022@N06/Y3yu4S |
| Description | The main findings to emerge from the research are summarised under five themes below. Central and Eastern European Young People, Brexit, Racism and Xenophobia • The UK's decision to leave the EU makes many young Eastern Europeans anxious about their future. They are concerned about the uncertainty over their status post-Brexit, feeling increasingly unwelcome in their communities • Young Eastern Europeans reported increased levels of racism and xenophobia post-Brexit Referendum. Over three quarters of our sample (77%) said that they have experienced racism and xenophobia. Many said they experienced racism and xenophobia on a daily basis, disguised as jokes or banter, on the basis of their accent and country of birth. Some reported serious attacks on themselves, their families or properties. • Young people feel that their future was precarious. While the majority of the young people in our study said they are likely to live in the UK in 2020, the anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies of controlling immigration have made many reconsider their future plans to stay in Britain. Young people's sense of belonging in Britain • Young Europeans felt a strong sense of belonging to the UK. This sense of national belonging appears to become stronger the longer young people have lived in the UK. • Young Eastern Europeans are developing feelings of national belonging to the UK at the same time as having a strong sense of European identity. However, their feelings of local and national belonging have been impacted by Brexit. • If a young person feels that their school is supportive of Eastern European pupils, they are more likely to feel a sense of belonging to the UK and also were more likely to believe they would be remaining in the UK long-term. • Young Eastern Europeans who experience racism and xenophobia are less likely to feel a strong sense of belonging to Britain. Experiencing racism also lowers young people's feelings of satisfaction with their life in the UK. • Many young Eastern Europeans spend a lot of time on online social networks, which were important sites of belonging. They also expressed strong feelings of belonging to their families and offline friendship groups. Eastern European young people's political and civic engagement in the UK • Young Eastern Europeans are interested in politics, but many have not yet decided which party to support. They need more information to make informed decisions about their voting intentions. • Young Eastern Europeans are more likely to express a sense of national belonging than a sense of local belonging. Since the Brexit Referendum, many young people report feeling unwelcome in their communities. This impacts negatively on their ability to get involved in volunteering and community social action. • Young Eastern Europeans think about citizenship mainly in terms of securing British nationality than volunteering or social action. • There seems to be a strong relationship between young people's sense of belonging to their communities and the likelihood of them volunteering and getting involved in social action. Young Eastern Europeans and their use of services • Young Eastern Europeans are generally satisfied with the services that they access in the UK, but they would like to see more local activities and services; • Young people who said that they have mental health concerns are less satisfied with health services than young people who did not report mental ill health. • In Scotland, young people in cities seemed to be more satisfied with their schools compared to young people in rural Scotland. There was no difference between urban and rural England. • Many young Eastern Europeans make regular visits to their country of birth, and continue to access services such as doctors, dentists and leisure spaces there, even after settling in the UK. Young Eastern Europeans and their hybrid identities • Many young people talked about their hybrid identities and saw the process of their identity formation as fluid, negotiable and consisting of multiple identities. Their adopted identities depended on social contexts, family circumstances and how included they felt. • Young people valued staying in touch with family and friends from their country of birth. These relationships were maintained online and through regular visits to the country of birth. In the context of Brexit, young people want security that their family life will not be affected by mobility restrictions for themselves or family members. • Many young people commented on their complex identities as a source of both social inclusion and exclusion. They shared feelings of not belonging at certain times or in certain places, especially in the context of a more hostile environment since the Brexit vote. Some felt they belonged more to the country of birth, others felt they belonged to the UK as they lived here longer. • Young migrants' identities are at a stage where a sense of belonging and being a valued member of one's community are important to their future decisions to stay in the UK long-term. Belonging and feeling part of a community are also essential dimensions to their wellbeing. |
| Exploitation Route | The findings have potential to be taken forward and put to use by a range of audiences, including: 1) Young people themselves- we have made all our project materials available online and accessible, so young people can read our findings and understand better their own and other young people's experiences and views of Brexit and its impact; issues of identity, citizenship and belonging preoccupy all young people and experiences shared by participants in our study should be of interest to many young people; also, we have materials targeted at young people, such as 'How to talk about Brexit with your family' leaflet 2) Policy makers- we have produced several policy briefings, reports and blog items which should inform policy in relation to EU nationals' rights, access to information in relation to settled status and plans to remain in the UK; these findings could inform policies of inclusion and retention of migrants, and of tackling racism and xenophobia at community and national level; other findings could inform policies on service provision (education, health, leisure) and political parties on young people's voting intentions and information on political parties 3) Educators, voluntary sector organisations, practitioners in health and other services- our research findings should be of interest to a range of practitioners working with EU nationals in schools, community-based services, voluntary sector organisations, healthcare, social work, police etc. We have made findings available in five themed Briefings, all available on our project website www.migrantyouth.org and we have also produced teaching materials for schools- see: https://education.gov.scot/improvement/research/supporting-young-eastern-europeans-research-policy-and-practice-materials 4) Museums, art curators- we have produced an art exhibition on the theme of migration, belonging and identity- this could be used to inspire future work with young people in museums and art settings, or in schools- see https://www.flickr.com/photos/94070022@N06/albums/72157700925416965 5) Academics, researchers, students- our findings are of relevance to those interested in researching youth, issues of identity and belonging with migrant groups, methodological aspects of doing research with migrant groups and with young people in a participatory way |
| Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Leisure Activities, including Sports, Recreation and Tourism,Government, Democracy and Justice,Culture, Heritage, Museums and Collections,Retail,Security and Diplomacy |
| URL | http://www.migrantyouth.org |
| Description | Our research findings on the experiences of EU-born young people living in the UK have been used in several documents produced by the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Young Academy of Scotland of the RSE to document the impact of Brexit, especially for EU nationals. In particular, the Advice paper 'Brexit: Challenges and Opportunities- Migration, diversity, rights and social protection' produced by the Royal Society of Edinburgh (July 2017) (https://www.rse.org.uk/advice-papers/brexit-challenges-opportunities-migration-diversity/) and which draws on our research, as well as others, has been used in the Scottish Affairs Committee 'Immigration in Scotland' Enquiry (https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/scottish-affairs-committee/inquiries/parliament-2017/immigration-scotland-17-19/) In addition, we have contributed to 'Brexit: The impact on Scotland' publication (Sept 2017) produced by the RSE-Young Academy of Scotland with a section on 'Children and immigration' and 'Brexit: The Impact of Scotland: Health and Wellbeing Edition' (Sept 2018. These documents have been used by the Scottish Government in current planning in relation to the Brexit transition. In March 2017, Dr Sime (PI) has given evidence to the All Party Parliamentary Committee on Young People and Brexit and the evidence and additional reports will be used to inform activity in the committee. We have also produced five research and policy briefings, which are available to download from the project website www.migrantyouth.org and these have been used by policy and service managers to inform their work in relation to supporting Eastern European families. They have attracted particular interest from teachers across the UK, including EAL teachers working with migrant groups, and have been used to inform their ongoing practice. For the general public, we have produced a leaflet 'How to talk about Brexit with your family' , also available from the project website- this has been disseminated in schools by teachers and our project team, aiming to mainly raise awareness of the practical and emotional difficulties EU nationals may experience and providing tools for young people and their parents to discuss Brexit. For teachers, we have produced an information page with Education Scotland: https://education.gov.scot/improvement/research/supporting-young-eastern-europeans-research-policy-and-practice-materials This combines all our research materials and offers guidance on teachers on how to approach the topic of Brexit with young people- as well as giving guidance on 'settled status' and the importance of making EU nationals aware of the need to apply. As this is a recent development in terms of impact, we will be in a better position to report uptake and impact on practice at next year's audit. Finally, the study findings have received extensive media coverage, with a Channel 4 News story based on our research which has received over 150,000 views https://www.facebook.com/Channel4News/videos/486425801867607/ and more on Chanel 4 News page. The research findings have also received coverage in the Herald (Scotland) and Teacher Education Supplement, the Guardian, BBC, Huffington Post, and the Conversation, with thousands of viewings and downloads. The project has a twitter account @MigrantYouth and Facebook page, which have been used to disseminate findings and engage members of the public in ongoing debates about the rights and future of EU nationals in the UK, including their vulnerable status. The project formed the basis of an Impact Case submitted to the REF2021 Assessment exercise by the University of Strathclyde for UoA 22- 'Social Work & Social Policy'. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2017 |
| Sector | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Education,Government, Democracy and Justice |
| Impact Types | Cultural,Societal,Policy & public services |
| Description | Contributed evidence to Royal Society of Edinburgh Advice paper 'Brexit Challenges and Opportunities- Migration & Diversity' |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | Evidence used by Scottish Government in designing policy in relation to the Brexit transition, with benefits for the security of EU nationals in Scotland |
| URL | https://www.rse.org.uk/advice-papers/brexit-challenges-opportunities-migration-diversity/ |
| Description | Contributed written piece on Young Academy of Scotland's policy paper on 'Brexit: The impact for Scotland' |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| Impact | Evidence on the impact of Brexit vote on young people born in Central and Eastern European countries- and some policy advisory measures- likely to influence ongoing debate on Brexit solutions and policy measures |
| URL | https://www.youngacademyofscotland.org.uk/publications/policy-advice.html |
| Description | Evidence to All Parties Parliamentary Group on a 'Better Brexit for Young People' |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | Commitment from committee members to address the rights of EU-born nationals in the UK as a matter of urgency and raise the matter in Parliament at earliest opportunity to tackle insecurity of EU nationals and their children |
| URL | http://www.migrantyouth.org |
| Description | Evidence to Equalities and Human Rights Committee at the Scottish Parliament |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | We informed the Committee on the negative impact of Brexit on young people, mainly in relation to the significant increase in number of xenophobic incidents and racism experienced by young people who are EU nationals since the Brexit Referendum. We advised for increasing awareness of this phenomenon and making teachers and other staff aware of the levels of bullying and racism reported mainly in schools. The Committee will now draft a report and policy actions. |
| URL | https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/equalities-and-human-rights-committee-june-21-2018 |
| Description | Guidance for teachers on Education Scotland website- Supporting Young Eastern Europeans - Research, policy and practice materials |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Description | Research mentioned in Scottish Affairs Committee enquiry |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
| URL | https://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/scottish-affairs-committ... |
| Description | Shared project findings with Minister's Office- Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development (Scotland) |
| Geographic Reach | Local/Municipal/Regional |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Description | Supporting young people during Brexit |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Influenced training of practitioners or researchers |
| Impact | Over 100 teachers, social workers, police, health workers have taken part in our events in Scotland and England in Nov 2017, receiving training on the barriers faced by young people born in Central and Eastern Europe and living in the UK in the transition to UK's exit from the European Union |
| Description | Post-migration transitions and pathways to citizenship for EU youth in the UK amidst Brexit debates, challenges and anticipations |
| Amount | £420,290 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | ES/V001124/1 |
| Organisation | Economic and Social Research Council |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 08/2020 |
| End | 05/2023 |
| Title | Here to Stay? Database |
| Description | This was the first large scale study in the UK focussing primarily on the experiences of young people aged 12-18 born in Central and Eastern Europe who had moved to the UK after the enlargement of the European Union in 2004. It looked at issues of identity, citizenship and belonging, as experienced by young people from a Central Eastern European migrant background, also in the context of Britain's exit from the European Union. The study used a combination of qualitative and quantitative data, to elicit young people's views. In addition to young people, some key service providers with direct experience of working with migrant groups were also interviewed and in a small sample of case studies, family members of young people also shared their views. The project uncovered and documented the lived realities and experiences of young migrants in the UK, soon after EU Referendum in 2016- something which has been highlighted in policy reports, and by service providers, as a significant gap in existing understandings of young migrants' settlement in the UK and a barrier to bringing evidence-based improvements in policy and practice. The data was gathered during fieldwork which took place between October 2016 and April 2018. A range of qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis were used to facilitate the study, and a multi-faceted approach to understanding young migrants' and plans for long-term settlement in the UK were employed. Integral to the design were methods which engaged not just the young people themselves, but also their family members and stakeholders, to draw out lived experiences and practical insight, facilitate dialogue and develop policy and practice responses. These methods included: • A survey completed by young people aged 12-18 who had lived in the UK for at least 3 years, after migrating with their families from countries in Central and Eastern Europe; 1,120 young people took the survey between October 2016 and April 2017 (not all complete responses); • Expert interviews with 24 service providers, such as school managers, representatives of NGOs, employers and other relevant figures; these were completed between January and December 2017; i) Twenty focus groups with 108 young migrants aged 12-18 in Scotland and England, including 50 female and 58 male participants of 10 nationalities (mainly Polish, Romanian, Lithuanian); these took place between June and November 2017 and relied on some participatory activities; ii) Case studies with families, including 20 young people and family members each young person invited to a family interview. These case studies included 13 Polish, 5 Hungarian and 2 Latvian families. The work with families included two family visits, a 'catch up' Skype call between visits, young people completing a scrapbook and producing photos and videos on a tablet given to them by the project team. The second visit included a discussion of the scrapbook produced by the young person and a family activity, where family members came together to discuss their experiences of migration, challenges and how these were overcome, issues of identity and belonging, family relationships, plans for future, especially in light of the impact of Brexit on their status and residence rights. The cases were completed between December 2017 and April 2018. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2021 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | No impact yet (27 downloads of the database so far) |
| URL | https://reshare.ukdataservice.ac.uk/854232/ |
| Description | Collaboration with Education Scotland to provide support for Eastern European migrant pupils |
| Organisation | Education Scotland |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provided materials and training support for teachers |
| Collaborator Contribution | Partner disseminates materials and organises events |
| Impact | Materials provided online for teachers, including briefings, powerpoint slides and lesson plans, research articles |
| Start Year | 2019 |
| Description | 'I've been called a prostitute, told to go back to my own country'- Eastern European teenage girls in Brexit Britain |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | 'I've been called a prostitute, told to go back to my own country'- Eastern European teenage girls in Brexit Britain |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | http://girlhoodgang.com/conference-2018/programme/ |
| Description | 'I've been told to go back to my f**king Latvia'- Eastern European young people's experiences of racism post-Brexit Referendum |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Conference at Abertay University, Dundee- 'Borders, racism and resistance'- presentation to about 40 academics and 15-20 practitioners 7th-8th Sept 2017 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | 'Night at the museum'- Explorathon event |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | We presented the project materials and had an interactive stand at Explorathon event 28th September 2018, Glasgow Transport Museum Members of the public engaged with the project activities and took home materials with the project findings |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | BBC specialist contributor |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | BBC specialist contributor - Advice on content of documentary on Brexit children |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Belonging, but not belonging? Central and Eastern European young people's civic participation and use of services in the UK |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Conference presentation at VSSN event in Glasgow- 'Border Crossings: Implications for Civil Society in Dis-United Kingdom' attended by around 50 practitioners and policy makers 18th May 2017 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Brexit and me: Exploring identity and belonging among EE young people living in the UK |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation at RGS-IBG Annual Conference, London, around 50 participants attended, academics, postgraduate students in the main |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | CODE Centre Conference- 'Before Brexit, I intended to live in the UK forever'- Identity and belonging among EE young people post-Brexit Referendum |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Conference at the ESRC CODE Centre, Manchester, attended mainly by academics, but also some practioners and third sector organisations |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | COSLA Conference on Brexit impact |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | COSLA Conference on Brexit impact - Presentation on evidence from Here to Stay? project |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Channel 4 programme on 'Brexit and EU children' with input from our project |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Channel 4 News produced an item directly informed by our study and with contribution from young people involved with our research |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.channel4.com/news/the-brexit-fears-of-the-children-of-eu-nationals |
| Description | Children in Scotland Magazine- Feature piece |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Contribution to Children in Scotland magazine for practitioners in Scotland |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://childreninscotland.org.uk/our-work/magazine/ |
| Description | Citizenship, identity and belonging among Eastern European young people in Brexit Britain |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invitation to the Population and Health Research Group (PHRG) at St Andrews 13th February 2018 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Comparative Education Conference, Nicosia, May 2018- Researching identity with Eastern European migrant youth in UK |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Conference presentation at Comparative Education CESE XXVIII Conference 'Identities and Education: Comparative Perspectives in an Age of Crisis' Nicosia, Cyprus, 29th May - 1st June 2018 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Do you feel European? Feelings of identity and belonging among Eastern European young people in the UK in the context of Brexit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Conference presentation at the British Sociological Association conference (4th-6th April, 2017) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | ESRC's Festival of Social Sciences |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | We organised two events as part of ESRC's festival of Social Sciences (at Strathclyde and Plymouth) entitled 'Supporting Eastern European young people in Brexit Britain' 10th November 2017 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | EU nationals events- organised by EU Citizens Rights project |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | EU nationals events- organised by EU Citizens Rights project - Contribution with stalls and presentations in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen 28th and 30th April 2018 2nd May 2018 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Event for EAL Teachers in Edinburgh (March 2018): Eastern European young people in Brexit Britain: Racism, anxiety and a precarious future |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Two workshops for EAL teachers in Scotland at the EAL conference (March 2018) - focus on practical applications of research findings to their work, in terms of supporting young people during the Brexit transition |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Evidence to All Party Parliamentary Committee on 'Better Brexit for Young People' |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Evidence given on the impact of Brexit for young people to the APPC on 'Better Brexit for young people' chaired by Stephen Kinnock, UK Parliament 5th March 2018 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Exeter Respect Festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Respect Festival- we distributed information and materials on the project to people attending the festival- hundreds reached 30th June- 1st July 2018 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Here to Stay? Outline Presentation to EAL staff, Renfrewshire Council |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presenting Here to Stay? project to EAL teachers and support staff in Renfrewshire |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Here to Stay? Outline of project for EAL Directors, Scotland |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation on the Here to Stay? project at the meeting of EAL directors from local authorities in Scotland |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Here to Stay? Preliminary findings from a post-Brexit survey with young Poles in the UK |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Conference presentation at the UCL Centre for Slavonic and Eastern European Studies attended by around 50 academics, practitioners and PGR students |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Here to Stay? art exhibition |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Here to Stay? art exhibition |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.flickr.com/photos/94070022@N06/albums/72157700925416965 |
| Description | Here to stay? project presentation to social and cultural geography students |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Here to stay? project presentation at Plymouth University- February 2018 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Hereford- Whitecross School and Rural Media Film |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Researcher spoke to children in one school about the project findings and helped with a documentary children were filming 6th June 2018 Shared Freedom, Shared Futures Exhibition launched on 20th March 2018 The project was developed by a mixed nationality group of students at Whitecross Hereford High School. Through workshops and field trips, including talking to members of the older Polish community, the young people gathered stories and produced a short film drama plus a longer film following their own journey. The exhibition, shown for the first time here, is the culmination of their research and oral history gathering. Acknowledging the contribution that Polish people have made to British society and freedom, the exhibition challenges the misconception of Polish people living in British society as dependents. Claire Kelly, Researcher, appears in documentary filmed by the young people |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | How Brexit is making Eastern European young people in the UK fear for their future |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | How Brexit is making Eastern European young people in the UK fear for their future |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://theconversation.com/how-brexit-is-making-young-eastern-europeans-in-the-uk-fear-for-their-fu... |
| Description | How does poverty impact on family learning? Implications for effective partnerships with EAL/bilingual families |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Conference of Scottish Teachers of English as an Additional Language (SATEAL) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Loughborough University Conference- Geographies of mobility- Are Eastern European youth in the UK here to stay? Imagining citizenship in Brexit Europe |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Conference on 'Geographies of mobility', mainly academic attendance, but also some practitioners 25th-27th Sept 2017 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Membership of EU + ME Board |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Prof Sime is invited Co-convener of the Board for 'Eu + Me', a new organisation established to promote European values and culture among the general public in the UK |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | http://www.euandme.com |
| Description | North Devon Diversity Festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Dissemination of project materials and information to the general public attending the festival 30th June 2018 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Participation in Explorathon Scotland as part of European Researchers' Night- involving the general public with social sciences |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | An event taking place in museums across Scotland- we participated in two events- Kelvingrove Museum (29th Sept) and Transport Museum (30th Sept)- to engage the general public with social sciences. Members of the public learnt about the findings of our research with EU migrant young people. Over 1200 members of the public reached. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | http://www.explorathon.co.uk/ |
| Description | Plymouth Respect Festival |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | We gave information on project findings and distributed materials on the project to the general public 14th July 2018 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Presentation at Glasgow University Centre for Eastern European Studies |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Workshop on project, presentation on emerging findings to academics and postgraduate students |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Presentation on project findings to Amnesty UK and group of students from Germany |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | 21st March 2018 Presentation to a group of students visiting the UK organised by Amnesty International 20 participants, mainly postgraduate students |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Presentations to undergraduate students on Social Policy courses at Strathclyde |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Students on Social Policy course at Strathclyde get lectures on Migration and hear about the project findings- including students in years 1,3,4 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018,2019 |
| Description | Project website and social media engagement |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Our website, below, has received over 10,000 visits, with all our Policy Briefings being downloaded thousands of times This included 40% UK-based visitors, 35% US-based visitors, 10% France-based visitors and 15% from other countries We have used the website to publicise project findings, reports and policy briefings and events- many visitors have reported increased awareness of issues faced by EU nationals in the context of Brexit and we received requests for participation and input at workshops, conferences and from the media |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017,2018,2019 |
| Description | Research impact and the UK Parliament |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Presentation for academics and members of the UK Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology staff |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | SATEAL Event- Supporting young people during the Brexit transition |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Supporting young people during the Brexit transition - Workshop contribution to SATEAL Conference, Edinburgh March 2017 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Supporting young EU migrants in Brexit Britain |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Blog item written for practitioners, with a focus on how to support EU migrants in the context of Brexit |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| URL | https://naldic.org.uk/httpsealjournal-org20171030supporting-young-eu-migrants-in-brexit-britain/ |
| Description | University of West of England - 'Creativity and EAL' conference |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | We gave a presentation on the project findings to teachers and school managers on the issues faced by EU nationals in the context of Brexit and how best to support them 60-70 participants, interested in following up the project findings with change in practice 12th July 2018 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | Young Eastern Europeans Are Reporting Increased Racism And Xenophobia After The Brexit Vote |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Young Eastern Europeans Are Reporting Increased Racism And Xenophobia After The Brexit Vote |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| URL | https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/eastern-europe-brexit_uk_5accc2f5e4b0152082fdd6c8 |
| Description | iMigMob Conference, Plymouth University |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | A talk we gave at this conference was part of a seminar on Brexit- academics, postgraduate students and practitioners attended 12th-13th July 2018 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |