The main focus of cluster A1 is international migration as such. It does not deal with the causes and consequences of migration. Nor does it address the different dimensions of the integration process and the legal inclusion or exclusion of migrants. The process of migration, its conceptual delineation and the statistical recognition are in the centre of the A1-interests.

This overarching approach to migration implies that the issues addressed by the members of this cluster are of central interest to the whole network. These issues basically fall into five research questions: How can we define international migration and mobility; which phenomena of international migration and mobility have already been addressed and which have been neglected? What are the relevant theoretical paradigms in international migration research? Which regularities does international migration show in terms of structural aspects? What are the most important modes of regulation? Which new forms and patterns of migration have evolved in response to regulation?

These five principal, to some extent broad, but necessary questions have guided the work of cluster A1. These thematic areas supply the basic structure for this state of the art report. Based on contributions of the cluster members, this report has two aims: one is to reflect the wide range of research interests within the cluster. The other, more ambitious goal is to provide a wider overview of the state of the art in the different areas addressed within this cluster.

This title is published within the IMISCOE publication programme as part of the Working Papers. These Working Papers are the products of ongoing work by IMISCOE members that are not (yet) ready for publication within the IMISCOE-AUP Book series. They may range from State of the Art Reports (SoAR) on worldwide research within a particular domain to more specific products of ongoing work. The Working Papers are evaluated by the editorial committee for quality and completeness before being published on the website.

Peer-reviewed publications can be found in the IMISCOE_AUP Book Series developed in co-operation with the Amsterdam University Press (AUP). One of these publications is based on the nine IMISCOE State of the Arts (of which this working paper is one): The dynamics of migration and settlement in Europe. A State of the Art. IMISCOE Joint Studies. Amsterdam: AUP, Rinus Penninx, Maria Berger and Karen Kraal (eds) (2006).

This report is the collaborative effort of the members of the research clusters and brings together their expertise in this specific field.

The IMISCOE Working Papers are part of IMISCOE which is an EU funded Network of Excellence in the Sixth Framework Programme.

IMISCOE Network of Excellence
Karen Kraal (Communication Officer), tel. +31 (0)20 525 3659

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Heinz Fassmann, Josef Kohlbacher, Ursula Reeger and Wiebke Sievers, Austrian Academy of Sciences

research

Urban Policy

Social inclusion & integration