Rebordering Britain and Britons after Brexit (MIGZEN)
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Birmingham
Department Name: Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology
Abstract
The Brexit negotiations have brought public and political attention to longstanding concerns within migration and citizenship scholarship, throwing questions of citizenship, migration and belonging into sharp relief. It is also clear that Brexit has affected people's sense of belonging, mobility and settlement plans. In the wake of Brexit, Britons in the EU and EU citizens and non-EU Third Country Nationals (TCN) in the UK are finding the status and the terms of their residence challenged, their claims to belonging, and access to rights questioned, their settlement plans in jeopardy.
Rebordering Britain and Britons after Brexit (MIGZEN) turns its attention towards these emerging issues. Through a collaborative project involving academics, policy makers, civil society and migrant-led organisations it aims to produce new knowledge about migration between the UK and EU, and how the changing legal and political relationship between the UK and EU in consequence of Brexit shapes migration and migrant experience - including settlement, questions of identity, citizenship and belonging.
It takes a unique approach to understanding the story of migration between Britain and Europe that foregrounds both immigration and emigration from Britain, and adopts an inclusive understanding of who is a migrant to examine different forms of mobility, including third country nationals and those previously entitled to freedom of movement, namely UK nationals moving within the EU, and EU citizens moving to the UK. It offers a critical analysis of the relationship between migration and migration governance in the UK that situates it in the context of the current geopolitical repositioning of the country. By foregrounding the nexus between migration and citizenship, MIGZEN offers in-depth insights into the changing relationship between the UK and European Union through a focus on migration and its governance.
The project develops an ambitious and innovative programme of work on the impact of Brexit on migration to and from the United Kingdom at a range of scales: (a) policies and legal structures; (b) flows and routes; (c) migration strategies and settlement experiences where it addresses the following research questions:
- How, and in what ways, have volume, geography and direction of migration flows between the UK and EU changed since the Brexit Referendum? And how does this relate to global migrations to and from the UK?
- In what ways do settled populations - UK nationals resident in EU member states before Brexit and EU citizens living in the UK - assess their mobile and residential futures in light of their changing legal status, personal circumstances, political and economic crises, and the COVID-19 pandemic?
- How do transformations to migration governance regimes intervene in (a) decisions to migrate and repatriate (b) subsequent experiences of settlement for those newly migrating between to the UK and from the UK to the EU following Brexit?
Through an extensive and ambitious dissemination and impact plan, the project will contribute to academic, policy, and public debates on the past, present, and future lived experiences of Brexit and migration to and from the UK. Our research offers a unique longitudinal vantage point from which to examine the dilemmas and challenges British emigrants, EU and non-EU immigrants are facing as a result of Brexit, as well as to cast light on how they are coping, adapting and responding to the additional challenges brought by COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath.
Rebordering Britain and Britons after Brexit (MIGZEN) turns its attention towards these emerging issues. Through a collaborative project involving academics, policy makers, civil society and migrant-led organisations it aims to produce new knowledge about migration between the UK and EU, and how the changing legal and political relationship between the UK and EU in consequence of Brexit shapes migration and migrant experience - including settlement, questions of identity, citizenship and belonging.
It takes a unique approach to understanding the story of migration between Britain and Europe that foregrounds both immigration and emigration from Britain, and adopts an inclusive understanding of who is a migrant to examine different forms of mobility, including third country nationals and those previously entitled to freedom of movement, namely UK nationals moving within the EU, and EU citizens moving to the UK. It offers a critical analysis of the relationship between migration and migration governance in the UK that situates it in the context of the current geopolitical repositioning of the country. By foregrounding the nexus between migration and citizenship, MIGZEN offers in-depth insights into the changing relationship between the UK and European Union through a focus on migration and its governance.
The project develops an ambitious and innovative programme of work on the impact of Brexit on migration to and from the United Kingdom at a range of scales: (a) policies and legal structures; (b) flows and routes; (c) migration strategies and settlement experiences where it addresses the following research questions:
- How, and in what ways, have volume, geography and direction of migration flows between the UK and EU changed since the Brexit Referendum? And how does this relate to global migrations to and from the UK?
- In what ways do settled populations - UK nationals resident in EU member states before Brexit and EU citizens living in the UK - assess their mobile and residential futures in light of their changing legal status, personal circumstances, political and economic crises, and the COVID-19 pandemic?
- How do transformations to migration governance regimes intervene in (a) decisions to migrate and repatriate (b) subsequent experiences of settlement for those newly migrating between to the UK and from the UK to the EU following Brexit?
Through an extensive and ambitious dissemination and impact plan, the project will contribute to academic, policy, and public debates on the past, present, and future lived experiences of Brexit and migration to and from the UK. Our research offers a unique longitudinal vantage point from which to examine the dilemmas and challenges British emigrants, EU and non-EU immigrants are facing as a result of Brexit, as well as to cast light on how they are coping, adapting and responding to the additional challenges brought by COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath.
Organisations
Publications
Zambelli, E
(2022)
British-European families after Brexit
Zambelli E
(2022)
British-European families after Brexit
Sigona, N
(2022)
EU citizens in the UK after Brexit
Sigona N
(2022)
EU citizens in the UK after Brexit
Benson,M
(2022)
From the state of the art to new directions in researching what Brexit means for migration and migrants
in Migration Studies
Benson, M
(2022)
European Belongings and Political Participation beyond Brexit
Benson, M
(2022)
British citizens in the EU after Brexit
Benson M
(2022)
British Citizens in the EU after Brexit
Benson M
(2024)
Humanitarian visas in a hostile environment
Benson M
(2022)
From the state of the art to new directions in researching what Brexit means for migration and migrants
in Migration Studies
Benson M
(2021)
Brexit On 'Plague Island': Fortifying The UK's Borders In Times Of Crisis
in The Sociological Review Magazine
Benson M
(2022)
European Belongings and Political Participation beyond Brexit
Benson M
(2021)
Brexit's Hidden Costs for Britons Living in the EU
in Current History
BENCHEKROUN R
(2024)
Mothering in hostile environments: Migrant families negotiating the welfare and immigration regime nexus
in Critical Social Policy
Title | The politics of migration in Global Britain |
Description | This is a short animation that summarises the scope and key findings of the research project. |
Type Of Art | Film/Video/Animation |
Year Produced | 2023 |
Impact | None to date |
URL | https://migzen.net/blog/what-happened-to-migration-to-and-from-the-uk-after-brexit-in-140-seconds/ |
Description | To date we have published four research briefings and a review article. They report respectively on our findings from the survey with British citizens abroad and EU citizens in the UK, and on our systematic review of the academic literature on Brexit and migration. The Research Briefings were reported widely in mainstream media. |
Exploitation Route | We have published the dataset of Brexit and migration on our project website. The MIGZEN Research Briefings are informing our impact and engagement strategy and further academic dissemination. |
Sectors | Communities and Social Services/Policy Government Democracy and Justice |
URL | https://www.migzen.net/podcasts/ |
Description | Research findings are feeding in our Impact and Engagement strategy, including mainstream media coverage, contribution to parliamentary hearings, informing the development of a Podcast series, infographics, and the development of Policy briefings in collaboration with our Impact Partners. |
First Year Of Impact | 2022 |
Sector | Communities and Social Services/Policy,Government, Democracy and Justice |
Impact Types | Societal Policy & public services |
Description | Citation in HC Library Research Briefing (Benson) |
Geographic Reach | Europe |
Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
URL | https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-9657/CBP-9657.pdf |
Description | Citizens' Rights Report - House of Lord EU Affairs Committee |
Geographic Reach | Europe |
Policy Influence Type | Citation in other policy documents |
URL | https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/6900/documents/72571/default/ |
Description | Letter to House of Lords EU Affairs Committee (by invitation) (Benson) |
Geographic Reach | Europe |
Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
URL | https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/40142/documents/195711/default/ |
Description | Oral Evidence - House of Lords EU Affairs Committee (May 2021) |
Geographic Reach | Europe |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
URL | https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/d4cfcc26-8c12-4f88-9600-5cc315fdfc76?in=17:00:00&out=18:11:00 |
Description | Written Evidence [CIT00008] to the House of Lords EU Affairs Committee, Inquiry into Citizens' Rights |
Geographic Reach | Europe |
Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
URL | https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/37388/pdf/ |
Description | ABC (Australia) - Rwanda Deal |
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 | Interview on the Rwanda Plan |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/britain-forced-to-cancel-first-asylum-seeker... |
Description | ABC (Australia) interview |
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 | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Up to 60 asylum seekers including a dozen children have died, after their boat sank in rough seas off southern Italy. The boat was travelling from Turkiye and carrying people from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and Iran. The disaster comes only days after the Italian government passed a new law tightening the rules on sea rescues. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/worldtoday/dozens-of-asylum-seekers-drown-off-southern-italy/1... |
Description | AJE Inside Story |
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 | More than 100 million people have been displaced around the world, according to the United Nations. More people than ever before have been forcibly displaced around the world, according to the UN's refugee agency. Last month, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said the total number of displaced people passed the 100 million mark. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.aljazeera.com/program/inside-story/2022/6/16/whats-behind-the-record-number-of-displaced... |
Description | AP interview on Rwanda Deal |
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 | Interview with AP re Rwanda Deal, it was syndicated in hundreds of newspapers worldwide. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://apnews.com/article/queen-elizabeth-ii-boris-johnson-business-rwanda-migration-6ac674d20298ec... |
Description | AfricaNews/AP interview |
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 | Broadcast interview with AP syndicated internationally. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://fr.africanews.com/2022/06/15/nando-sigona-le-royaume-uni-tente-de-se-debarrasser-des-refugie... |
Description | Al Jazeera interview |
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 | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Interview on the impact of Brexit on migration |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/6/9/europeans-are-almost-not-coming-to-the-uk-any-more |
Description | All Party Parliamentary Groups - Citizens' Rights - February 2022 (Michaela Benson) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Presentation to the All Party Parliamentary Groups Citizens' Rights (February 2022) by Michaela Benson focussed on the challenges relating to the implementation of citizens' rights provisions for British citizens in the EU. This virtual meeting of the APPG Citizens' Rights organised by New Europeans intended to communicate to members of the APPG and the general public what the continuing challenges were that British citizens were facing, and what members of UK parliament might do to address this. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Njn3x4FQpI8 |
Description | Appearance on Radio 3 Free Thinking |
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 | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I was an invited guest of BBC Radio 3's Arts and Literature programme, Free Thinking, to discuss emigration. The programme focussed on the untold story of emigration, and I was to provide an understanding of why there is so little discussion of emigration (from Britain) in the present-day despite sustained high levels of emigration. Broadcast on a major national channel, this had the potential to reach a wider audience. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001jln7 |
Description | Article 'A battle for the crown - the UK's migration story, from the coronation to Eurovision', UK in a Changing Europe (Benson and Sigona_ |
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 | This article was published to coincide with the launch of the podcast series 'Who do we think we are? Presents 'Global Britain''. It was intended to drive traffic to this initiative from the project. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://ukandeu.ac.uk/a-battle-for-the-crown-the-uks-migration-story-from-the-coronation-to-eurovisi... |
Description | Article 'Is it time for the UK to pay more attention to emigration', UK in a changing Europe (Benson) |
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 | This article focussed on the need to turn attention to emigration in the context of migration after Brexit. It intended to initiate a conversation on this issue that will be followed up with future engagements and publications. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://ukandeu.ac.uk/is-it-time-for-the-uk-to-pay-more-attention-to-emigration |
Description | Article - 'Bespoke humanitarian schemes like those for Ukraine and Hong Kong can't replace the asylum system', The Conversation (Sigona and Benson) |
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 | This article for the Conversation focussed on the key findings of the recent report 'Humanitarian visas in a hostile environment'. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
URL | https://theconversation.com/bespoke-humanitarian-visa-schemes-like-those-for-ukraine-and-hong-kong-c... |
Description | Article - 'Comparing the Hong Kong BN(O) and Ukraine humanitarian visa schemes', UK in a Changing Europe (Benson and Sigona) |
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 | This article promoted the key findings of the report 'Humanitarian visas in a hostile environment'. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
URL | https://ukandeu.ac.uk/comparing-the-hong-kong-bno-and-ukraine-humanitarian-visa-schemes/ |
Description | Article - 'How Brexit turned European families into mixed status families', LSE Blog (Zambelli, Benson and Sigona) |
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 | This article for LSE Blog communicated for a general public the findings reported the journal article 'Brexit rebordering, sticky relationships and the production of mixed-status families'. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2023/11/30/how-brexit-turned-european-families-into-mixed-status-... |
Description | Article - De Facto (in French) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Contribution to a collection of short essays published in De Facto (https://www.icmigrations.cnrs.fr/defacto/defacto-026/) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.icmigrations.cnrs.fr/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/DF26-Sigona-Godin.pdf |
Description | Article - Il Mulino magazine - Brexit e l'eredita del sogno europeo |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Article in Italian exploring the biopolitical legacy of the EU project in London after Brexit |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.rivistailmulino.it/a/brexit-e-l-eredit-del-sogno-europeo |
Description | Article for Border Criminologies (Benson) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Don't Pass Go: Brexit, Covid-19 and the rising number of Romanians being stopped at the UK's, by Michaela Benson, published 9 December 2021 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.law.ox.ac.uk/research-subject-groups/centre-criminology/centreborder-criminologies/blog/... |
Description | Article for The Conversation (Sigona and Benson) |
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 | Debunking key myths about Britain's 'broken asylum system', The Conversation by Nando Sigona and Michaela Benson, 2 December 2021 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://theconversation.com/debunking-key-myths-about-britains-broken-asylum-system-172794 |
Description | Article for The Sociological Review Blog (Benson and Sigona) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Brexit on 'Plague Island': fortifying the UK's borders in times of crisis, by Michaela Benson and Nando Sigona, published 2 February 2021 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://doi.org/10.51428/tsr.jbva7374 |
Description | Article for UK in a Changing Europe (Benson) |
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 | Which EU citizens are being turned away at the UK's borders? by Michaela Benson, published 28 May 2021 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://ukandeu.ac.uk/which-eu-citizens-are-being-turned-away-at-britains-borders/ |
Description | Article for UK in a Changing Europe (Benson) |
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 | British citizens living in the EU and the Brexit withdrawal agreement by Michaela Benson, published 4 November 2021 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://ukandeu.ac.uk/british-citizens-living-in-the-eu-brexit-withdrawal-agreement/ |
Description | Article for UK in a Changing Europe Blog (Benson) |
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 | The deadline for British Citizens living in the EU is looming by Michaela Benson, published 30 June 2021 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://ukandeu.ac.uk/british-citizens-living-in-the-eu/ |
Description | Article for UK in a Changing Europe Blog (Benson) |
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 | British Citizens in the EU: the other side of the citizens' rights coin, by Michaela Benson, 2 June 2021 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://ukandeu.ac.uk/british-citizens-in-the-eu-the-other-side-of-the-citizens-rights-coin/ |
Description | Article for the German Federal Agency for Civic Education |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This was a commissioned piece for the German Federal Agency for Civic Education. It focused on the changes that Brexit had brought vis-a-vis citizens' rights. It is an educational resource that can be used by practitioners and members of the general public. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
URL | https://www.bpb.de/themen/migration-integration/laenderprofile/nordeuropa/544686/brexit-und-das-ende... |
Description | Article in The Conversation - Belarus/Poland border crisis |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Tensions at the border between Poland and Belarus continue to rise, with thousands of vulnerable migrants stranded in a standoff between the two countries and the geopolitical blocs to which they belong. About 4,000 men, women and children are caught along the border between the two countries, having been reportedly escorted to the border by Belarusian guards. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://theconversation.com/belarus-border-crisis-with-poland-loses-sight-of-the-people-trapped-in-t... |
Description | BBC Newsnight, Irregular crossings in the English Channel, 22/11/2021 |
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 | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Interviewed BBC flagship programme Newsnight |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0011wwm/newsnight-22112021 |
Description | BBC interview on Mediterranean sea crossings |
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 | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | expert interview on sea crossings in the Med |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-66478091 |
Description | BBC interview on irregular crossings |
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 | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | BBC News interview on irregular crossings in the English Channel |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://youtu.be/N3iV9NHTpmw |
Description | Boris Johnson se enfrenta al doble veredicto de los votantes - EL MUNDO |
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 | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | EL MUNDO interviewing MIGZEN re Rwanda deal |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.elmundo.es/internacional/2022/06/23/62b4679521efa0e3528b45e0.html |
Description | Brexit On 'Plague Island': Fortifying The UK's Borders In Times Of Crisis |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Three weeks into 2021 and the end of the Brexit transition period, and not a day has passed where the borders haven't made their presence felt in the news cycle. The coincidence of COVID and Brexit has produced a perfect storm, as public health concerns and necessary containment measures have become entangled with the emerging post-Brexit geopolitics, and often weaponised to score political points. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.thesociologicalreview.com/brexit-on-plague-island-fortifying-the-uks-borders-in-times-of... |
Description | Brexit remains 'open wound' for EU citizens living in UK - GUARDIAN |
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 | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Guardian reporting on our MIGZEN Research Briefing on the EU citizens in Britain |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2022/jun/23/brexit-remains-open-wound-eu-citizens-living-uk |
Description | Brexit sparked greater attachment to the European Union in UK and EU citizens living abroad, survey suggests |
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 | Prior to the 2016 referendum on leaving, polling consistently showed that people in Britain had previously given little thought to the European Union. But a survey of British people living in Europe and UK-resident EU citizens conducted by our team at the universities of Birmingham and Lancaster suggests Brexit has triggered a profound shift. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://theconversation.com/brexit-sparked-greater-attachment-to-the-european-union-in-uk-and-eu-cit... |
Description | Channel deaths fuel UK-France tensions over migrant boats - cited in AP article |
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 | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | When it left the bloc, Britain also exited a system that provided for intra-European cooperation on asylum and other migration issues, said Nando Sigona, professor of international migration and forced displacement at the University of Birmingham. At the same time, people smugglers have realized the channel is a lucrative route for migrants and they are stepping up their effort with bigger boats. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://apnews.com/article/europe-france-london-migration-emmanuel-macron-08450afdd4c76c7225d7834c64... |
Description | EU citizenship and transnational political mobilisation after Brexit |
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 | Following the Brexit referendum, a number of organisations were set up to support the rights of EU citizens in the UK and British citizens in the EU. Catherine Craven, Michaela Benson and Nando Sigona reflect on the work of these organisations and ask what their legacy will be. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2022/04/29/eu-citizenship-and-transnational-political-mobilisatio... |
Description | Euronews interview on irregular crossings |
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 | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Interview for piece on irregular migrant crossings |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.euronews.com/2023/09/06/why-its-often-men-who-make-the-migration-journey-to-europe |
Description | From the coloniality of British citizenship to #BrusselsSoWhite (Benson) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Co-I Benson presented analysis drawn from the research as an invited speaker to the EU and International Staff Network at the Greater London Authority's Black History Month event 'Decolonising European Identities'. The online event was attended by 80+ participants and sparked discussion and questions afterwards. The organiser reported increased interest and discussion of the issues presented among attendees following the event. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Guardian on MIGZEN humanitarian report |
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 | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Guardian piece citing MIGZEN report on humanitarian visas |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
URL | https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/jan/30/ukrainians-uk-shocked-shortage-dentists-survey |
Description | Guest appearance on Surviving Society Podcast (Benson) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Co-I Benson appeared on the anti-racist podcast Surviving Society discussing Brexit, Global Britain and citizenship with a view to sharing researching informed knowledge on these issues with a general public. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | How Brexit transformed mobile families into immigrant families - BLOG UKICE |
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 linked to the report on mixed-status families (MIGZEN Research Briefing 3) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://ukandeu.ac.uk/how-brexit-transformed-mobile-families-into-migrant-families/ |
Description | INDEPENDENT |
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 | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Reporting on MIGZEN Research briefing's findings |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.independent.co.uk/independentpremium/uk-news/brexit-eu-nationals-referendum-anniversary-... |
Description | In the shadow of Brexit - image-makers for The Sociological Review |
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 | his month our digital theme is migrations. Here Image-Makers in Residence, Nando Sigona & Marie Godin, introduce "In the shadow of Brexit: EU families and Eurochildren in Brexiting Britain". Follow us on Instagram at 'thesociologicalreview' for all the images. "In the shadow of Brexit" is a participatory photo and audio project, part of the EU families and Eurochildren in Brexiting Britain research project (ES/R001510/1), funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) in The UK in a Changing Europe programme. The study investigates how families with EU27 parents are managing the change and uncertainty brought by the EU referendum of June 2016, and the kind of strategies they have put in place to mitigate the actual and expected impact of Brexit on their lives. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.thesociologicalreview.com/image-makers-in-residence-nando-sigona-marie-godin/ |
Description | Interview - 'Bremainers ask Professor Michaela Benson', Bremain in Spain (Benson) |
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 | Published interview on the website for the leading CSO working with British citizens living in Spain. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | http://www.bremaininspain.com/bremainers-ask/bremainers-ask-professor-michaela-benson/ |
Description | Interview of national newspaper - the Independent, the Guardian |
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 | I was consulted by journalists for several articles focussed on British citizens living in the EU since Brexit. These included, 'Brexit: the rise in Britons renouncing UK citizenship since the vote to leave EU' (The Independent, 8 Jan 2023); 'Brexit: thousands of Britons expelled from EU since end of transition period' (Guardian, 6 Jan 2023); and 'Everything feels massively bleak': the people leaving Britain for a new life' (The Independent, 21 Dec 2022). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Interviewed for 'The Briefing Room' |
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 | I was interviewed about British citizens living in the EU for BBC Radio 4's 'The Briefing Room' to coincide with the EU settlement scheme deadline. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000xfhp |
Description | Interviewed for Financial Times, 'Hong Kongers make a splash in UK politics' (Benson) |
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 | Interviewed for the FT, a UK-based broadsheet with global readership. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.ft.com/content/90477190-32c1-4ca5-9ca3-6604e6f3ff62 |
Description | Interviewed for article in Le Temp, 'Sans Européens, le marché du travail britannique craque de partout' (Benson) |
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 | Interviewed for this leading Swiss newspaper |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.letemps.ch/monde/sans-europeens-le-marche-du-travail-britannique-craque-de-partout |
Description | Interviewed in BBC Radio 4 The Week in Westminster |
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 | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Pippa Crerar, political editor of the Daily Mirror, presents, with discussions on migrants, with Baroness Kate Hoey, non-affiliated peer, and Nando Sigona, professor of International Migration and Forced Displacement, University of Birmingham. The role of the Treasury, with David Gauke, former Cabinet minister, and Angela Eagle MP, former Treasury minister. Boris Johnson's fortunes, with Lord Robert Hayward, Conservative peer and political analyst, and Paula Surridge, senior lecturer in political sociology, University of Bristol. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00120hs |
Description | Interviews for LBC radio |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Appearance on Nick Ferrari at Breakfast 30 June 2021. Intended purpose to communicate the issues still facing Brits in EU / EU citizens in the UK in consequence of Brexit. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
Description | Invited Talk - Grassroots for Europe Roundtable (Benson) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Invited talk on 'Challenging Misconceptions' as part of the Grassroots for Europe Roundtable on 'Changing hearts and minds on Freedom of Movement'. This online event was attended by more than 100 people and sparked questions and discussions afterwards which will inform a future campaign on this topic. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Invited presentation to EU delegation network meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
Results and Impact | We were invited to present out research to the EU Delegation's monitoring network in September 2022. This is EU-organised network monitoring the implementation of the citizens' rights agreements. This was attended by approximately 50 representatives from third sector organisations, members of the EU delegation. It sparked questions and discussion afterwards. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
Description | Invited speaker Brexit Literacy Webinar for parliamentary staff |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Co-I Michaela Benson was invited to present her research about the implementation of citizens' rights and emerging issues for British citizens living in the EU27 to UK parliamentary staff. This webinar was attended by 50+ parliamentary staff and was intended to increase knowledge and understanding of the challenges that this overseas population were facing in consequence of Brexit. This sparked questions and discussion afterwards, and the organiser reported increased knowledge and understanding among attendees subsequently. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | Newsday (BBC World Service) |
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 | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | I was interviewed for Newsday about British citizens living in the EU. The intended purpose was to communicate what the issues were that were outstanding for this population in consequence of Brexit. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w172xv2q0nt8lqy |
Description | Op-ed El Pais |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Op-ed in Spanish daily El Pais on the normalisation of state violence against refugees and migrants |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://elpais.com/internacional/2023-09-03/la-normalizacion-de-la-violencia-hacia-los-migrantes-y-r... |
Description | Op-ed in The Conversation for MIGZEN report |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Engagement activity linked to launch of MIGZEN report on humanitarian visas |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
URL | https://theconversation.com/bespoke-humanitarian-visa-schemes-like-those-for-ukraine-and-hong-kong-c... |
Description | Opinion piece on new humanitarian visas for UKICE |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Engagement activity following the launch of research report on humanitarian visas |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2024 |
URL | https://ukandeu.ac.uk/comparing-the-hong-kong-bno-and-ukraine-humanitarian-visa-schemes/ |
Description | Participation in an episode of 'Free Thinking' on Emigration (Benson) |
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 | Michaela Benson was one of several panellists participating in this episode of BBC Radio 3's 'Free Thinking' focussed on emigration. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001jln7 |
Description | Production, hosting and distribution of podcast series - Who do we think we are? Presents 'Global Britain' (Benson, Sigona, Zambelli and Craven) |
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 | The podcast series Who do we think we are? Presents 'Global Britain' is one of the major non-academic outputs of the project. It was designed to communicate the key messages of the research to a general public.A collaboration with the established podcast 'Who do we think we are?' it was able to draw on an exiting audience in excess of 500 people per episode. It also brought in collaborations with others working in the area - from third sector organisations and journalists, to other academics working in the area. Further it was intended to offer public resource about migration in post-Brexit Britain, informed by scholarship, that is otherwise not available. To date, the podcast has been showcased in the Financial Times 'Readables' list as one of two 'brilliant podcasts (on Global Migration) that take a step back from the news and lead with interesting multidisciplinary research' (https://www.ft.com/content/b5ea9194-cc09-4383-ac36-6f877cea1c48?FTCamp=engage/CAPI/webapp/Channel_Moreover//B2B). It has also been included in the reading lists for UG and M-Level teaching on migration and citizenship. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023,2024 |
URL | https://migzen.net/podcasts/who-do-we-think-we-are/ |
Description | Quoted in Associated Press piece on migrant deaths in the English Channel |
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 | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Contributed to piece on the drivers of irregular crossings in the English Channel |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-brexit-europe-34b553ba71c338463e13eb... |
Description | Quoted in Associated Press piece widely syndicated |
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 | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The piece was widely syndicated by hundreds of international, national and local newspapers. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-lifestyle-health-travel-middle-east-75ef7107e0337cb2... |
Description | Radio interview ABC Australia |
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 | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Emmanuel Macron wants more EU co-operation to prevent migrants from arriving in France, following the death of at least 27 migrants who drowned trying to cross the English channel. The group was making the perilous crossing from refugee camps in Calais to England when their overloaded inflatable capsized off the French coast. Guest: Nando Sigona, Professor of International Migration and Forced Displacement at the University of Birmingham |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/struggle-to-stop-people-smugglers-in-the-wak... |
Description | The Conversation - Four Ways Brexit and the Loss of Free Movement Have Made Life Harder for Mixed British-European Families |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Piece linked to MIGZEN Research Briefing, no. 3 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | http://theconversation.com/four-ways-brexit-and-the-loss-of-free-movement-have-made-life-harder-for-... |
Description | The UK's Refugee 'Invasion' is a Brexit-made Policy Failure |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | According to the Home Secretary Suella Braverman's recent statement in the House of Commons, the UK is facing 'an invasion'. Braverman's invading army is not made of soldiers but a few thousand 'illegal immigrants' who have reached the British shores irregularly, crossing the Channel by small boat. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://politicalquarterly.org.uk/blog/the-uks-refugee-invasion-is-a-brexit-made-policy-failure/ |
Description | The World at One (BBC Radio 4) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | I was interviewed for The World at One about the consequences of Brexit for British citizens in the EU. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000x4w6 |
Description | The real life consequences of Brexit for mixed British-European families - BLOG |
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 | From joining different queues at airport security to holding different immigration status in their country of residence, the shift from a common status as EU citizens to family members having different rights to residence has evoked strong emotions. Beyond this, it is clear that Brexit has had 'real life consequences' for those in mixed British-European families. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://migzen.net/blog/report-british-european-families-after-brexit/ |
Description | The status of British citizens in Portugal post-Brexit (Benson) |
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 | This blogpost authored by Co-I Benson reported on the challenges being faced by British citizens living in Portugal post-Brexit at that point in time. It was intended to amplify the issues reported to us through the research to draw attention from the general public to these issues. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
Description | UK Government's response to refugee crisis is too little, too confused, too slow - ODI Blogpost (Sigona and Benson) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | UK Government's response to refugee crisis is too little, too confused, too slow by Nando Sigona and Michaela Benson |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://odi.org/en/insights/uk-governments-response-to-refugee-crisis-is-too-little-too-confused-too... |
Description | UKICE blog on the survey on British monarchy and Eurovision |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Launch of podcast series with UKICE piece |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://ukandeu.ac.uk/a-battle-for-the-crown-the-uks-migration-story-from-the-coronation-to-eurovisi... |
Description | Who is breaking the UK's asylum system? |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | It is pitch dark and freezing cold when, in the early hours of Wednesday 14 December, a call is sent from a boat in distress in the English Channel. By the time the rescuers reach the boat, it is too late for at least four people; the remaining 43 are brought to safety. Only 12 months ago, another distress call did not trigger such a prompt response, and at least 27 people died. Rescuers didn't reach the location in time because French and British authorities wasted crucial hours squabbling about whose national water the boat was sinking in. The piece was translated in Italian: https://www.meltingpot.org/2023/01/chi-sta-rompendo-il-sistema-di-asilo/ |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/2023/01/11/who-is-breaking-the-asylum-system/ |
Description | Why some migrants are deemed more deserving than others in Global Britain |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Brexit has changed who comes to the UK, from where in the world and on what terms. New immigration rules and regulations have been designed to 'take back control' of the country's borders. Less visible is the role that migration governance is playing in the making of the promised 'Global Britain'. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
URL | https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/podcasts/podcast-borders-belonging/migrant-global-britain-brexit-go... |
Description | ZDF Auslandsjournal (Germany) |
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 | Britain's government wants to deport refugees - regardless of their origin - to Africa. The country has signed a deal with Rwanda for this. Human rights activists are alarmed. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
URL | https://www.zdf.de/politik/auslandsjournal/220622-abschiebung-nach-afrika-100.html |