Call for Papers
15th Conference of the Committee for Migration Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences
Emigration, immigration, and integration in an era of social and political polarisation
Gdańsk – Gdynia, September 23–25, 2026
The conference focuses on migration processes in Central and Eastern Europe,
as well as on research on diasporas originating from countries in this region. It is international and will be conducted in two languages: Polish and English.
Conference description
For many decades, migration has been one of the key phenomena shaping contemporary societies. In the context of growing social polarisation, the politicisation of public debate, and increasing disinformation, questions about the causes, course, and consequences of migration are taking on a new dimension and significance. Both emigration and immigration – in increasingly complex social, economic, and cultural contexts – are becoming a mirror of the condition of democratic systems and the ability of institutions and communities to respond to diversity and social change.
The aim of the conference is to reflect on contemporary migration processes, applying a broad and interdisciplinary approach: from research on the experiences of migrants, through analyses of public discourse, to studies on integration practices, migration policies, and relations between migrants and host communities. We want to create a space for dialogue between researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers to jointly consider how to conduct a debate on migration in a responsible manner, based on knowledge, empathy, and respect for diversity.
In recent years, migration has increasingly become the subject of ideological and political disputes. It is sometimes presented as a threat to security, national identity, or social cohesion, which reinforces processes of stigmatisation and exclusion. The politicization of this phenomenon leads to its instrumentalization, in which migrants cease to be seen as participants in social processes and become figures in socio-political conflicts. In this context, the discourse on migration functions as an arena for the struggle for power, social emotions, and identity-based definitions of community.
At the same time, the phenomenon of mobility cannot be reduced solely to its political representations. The experiences of migrants, their daily adaptation strategies, challenges, and forms of integration remain a key area of research that allows for a better understanding of the real effects of migration, both individually and socially. It is also worth considering the historical perspective, remembering that contemporary migration processes are part of longer cycles of mobility and cultural exchange, which have had and continue to have a significant impact on the shape of societies.
Social polarisation also affects the way in which the framework for integration is constructed. In antagonistic societies, integration processes encounter numerous barriers, ranging from a lack of trust in institutions to increased tensions between ethnic, cultural, and class groups. Meanwhile, it is worth emphasizing that migration has many positive consequences: it promotes the transfer of knowledge, innovation, and skills, supports the development of local communities, enriches cultural and social life, and has a positive impact on the economy.
Thematic scope and call for participation
We encourage you to submit proposals for papers that, in particular:
- present empirical research on the experiences of emigrants and immigrants,
- analyse political, media, and social discourses on migration,
- illustrate the functioning of diasporas in historical and contemporary terms,
- refer to integration practices and public policies,
- consider the topic of migration from historical, comparative, and regional perspectives (concerning Central and Eastern Europe),
- show how migration affects local communities, institutions, and identities.
We invite researchers from Poland and abroad representing various academic disciplines, including sociology, psychology, anthropology, political science, history, economics, geography, cultural studies, philology, linguistics, etc., as well as representatives of public institutions and non-governmental organizations dealing with migration issues to participate in the conference.
We believe that the conference will provide an opportunity for in-depth reflection on contemporary mobility processes, exchange of research experiences, and building new cooperation networks, especially in the region of Central and Eastern Europe.
We cordially invite you to participate in the 15th Conference of the Committee for Migration Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences!
