Advancing Participatory Approaches in Global Migrant Research: A Roundtable Discussion

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Migration Studies
• Community-Based Research

Background:

• Global migrant research increasingly values diverse perspectives.
• A shift towards community-led, co-produced, and decolonial approaches is evident.
• Centering migrants as active collaborators in research is a growing trend.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the utilization of participatory approaches in global migration research.
• To identify genuine participatory approaches and best practices in migration research.
• To examine barriers and facilitators for implementing participatory research globally.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study utilizing a structured, virtual roundtable discussion in 2024.
• 16 participants from nine countries with expertise in migration research and practice.
• Open-ended questions focused on participatory approaches, best practices, barriers, and facilitators.

Main Results:

• Key participatory methods include frameworks, researchers as social agents, and community-led direction.
• Best practices emphasize measurable community benefits, sustained engagement, and avoiding generalizing methodologies.
• Barriers include discrimination and funding misalignment; enablers are community trust and flexible funding models.

Conclusions:

• Genuine engagement and community agency are crucial for effective participatory migrant research.
• Innovative models like trust-based philanthropy and knowledge exchanges can address challenges.
• Including frontline worker perspectives is essential for comprehensive research.