University of Osnabrück initiates the "Lower Saxony Science Region: Future of Migration" project

In a significant move, the Lower Saxony science space "Futures of Migration" (FuturMig) has been launched, marking a new era in migration research. Coordinated by the Institute for Migration Research and Intercultural Studies (IMIS) at the University of Osnabrück, FuturMig aims to find answers to questions about how migration futures are discussed in societal debates, various practical areas, and migration research.

The project, led by Prof. Dr. Helen Schwenken, will investigate the impact of migration-related future visions on societal cohesion over the next five years. FuturMig engages with migration-related future visions, delving into current and past future perspectives and expectations, focusing on educational and upbringing contexts.

The research will span across various locations, including pre-school facilities, schools, universities, civil society initiatives, museums, and memorial sites. One of the key objectives is to develop a certificate program for various educational actors to be introduced throughout Lower Saxony.

Besides IMIS, the network includes the Centre for Global Migration Studies (CeMig) of the Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, the Centre for Educational Integration (ZIB) of the University of Hildesheim, the Leibniz Institute for Educational Media/Georg Eckert Institute (GEI) in Brunswick, and the Friedland Museum.

The funding program "Science Spaces" supports the project, providing almost three million euros until the end of 2029. The goal of "Science Spaces" is to develop innovative answers to societal challenges through the exchange of different perspectives and expertise.

Debates about migration often do not go beyond problem descriptions. FuturMig seeks to bridge this gap by discussing how migration futures can be actively shaped and practically addressed in politics, education, culture, and science.

For further information, Prof. Dr. Helen Schwenken and Dr. Philipp Schäfer can be contacted at [email protected] and [email protected], respectively. The launch date for FuturMig is set for 5.9.2025.

The aim is to make the reflection on the societal negotiation of migration futures fruitful in university teaching, teacher training, and continuing professional development. By engaging with various stakeholders, FuturMig hopes to foster a more informed and constructive dialogue about migration in Lower Saxony and beyond.

University of Osnabrück initiates the "Lower Saxony Science Region: Future of Migration" project