Migration is nothing new. Throughout history, it has sparked societal and political debate: on policies on asylum seekers, refugees and labour migrants, for example. Today, migration also intersects with a wide range of concerns – we need look no further than debates on safety, climate change, inequality, healthcare, economic growth, social prosperity, housing, employment and divisions within society. But these debates are not always grounded in factual understanding. Expanding this knowledge is the goal of our research.

Leiden University has an interdisciplinary community of archaeologists, historians, legal scholars, economists, governance experts and social scientists. Together, they explore migration from multiple angles: from migration flows in prehistory and the economic impact of labour migration to new legislation and why political discourse on migration is not always based on facts. They often work with civil society organisations such as NGOs, ministries, political parties, schools and museums. Our research informs public dialogue and policymaking, helping citizens and decision-makers engage in constructive discussions and develop effective responses to migration challenges.

In our teaching, we prepare a new generation of professionals who instinctively approach migration from different perspectives.