Migration Research

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) conducts and supports research designed to guide and inform migration policy and practice. The Migration Research Division (MRD) based in IOM Headquarters within the Department of International Cooperation and Partnerships has the institutional responsibility for overseeing the conduct and management of applied research on "mainstream" migration sectors and migration policy issues to enhance IOM's programme delivery and to enable IOM to serve as the primary reference point on migration, and for the preparation of IOM's flagship publication the World Migration Report, other reports published in its Migration Research Series, International Migration Journal and Migration Profiles.

MRD's Strategic Objectives include to:

  • Contribute to IOM's efforts to provide migration policy guidance to governments and to inform and shape migration policy agendas through policy oriented research.
  • Support and strengthen research expertise within the Organization; provide technical support and guidance to Field Offices and Headquarters Departments in developing (and implementing) research projects; and review final reports/research/studies for publication.
  • Provide technical expert advice to governments and institutions; support efforts to enhance research and data management capacities of governments and other bodies in order to contribute to sound policy-making.
  • Monitor IOM migration research activities, and contribute to the knowledge base through gathering lessons learned and identifying best practices in activities related to migration research.
  • Identify, promote and foster strategic, technical partnerships globally in the area of migration research.
  • Initiate own research/studies in strategic areas of interest designed to enhance and improve IOM's programme delivery and to enable IOM to serve as the primary reference point on migration.