Centre on Global Migration - CGM

26/08/2026

🏆 The Nordic Journal of Migration Research (NJMR) has awarded its Best Article of the publication years 2024–2025 to the article “Numbers, Ignorance and Swedish Migration Policy”, by Joseph Trawicki Anderson (University of Gothenburg), Jessie Jern (Swedish Defence University) and Anja K. Franck (University of Gothenburg).

🎉 Congratulations!

📖 The motivation follows:

This thought-provoking article makes an important contribution to migration studies by examining how the objective of reducing migrant numbers came to dominate Swedish migration policymaking. Through a careful analysis of legislative debates and policy documents, the authors demonstrate how numbers can become powerful political tools, not as neutral facts, but as sociopolitically constructed measures whose apparent objectivity makes them especially persuasive. The article shows how migrant numbers came to be treated as objective facts, even when their meaning and wider consequences were rarely discussed or placed in context.

By introducing the concept of **strategic ignorance**, the authors reveal how policymakers may fail to engage with or acknowledge relevant knowledge while continuing to justify policy through a focus on reducing migrant numbers. In doing so, the article offers an insightful critique of the role of numbers in migration governance and highlights how numerical targets can become disconnected from their broader societal implications and from the lived realities of people.

Combining conceptual originality with rigorous empirical analysis, the article advances our understanding of the relationship between knowledge, ignorance, and policymaking. Its relevance extends well beyond the Swedish case, offering important insights into contemporary debates on migration governance and the political power of numbers.

🔗

Numbers, Ignorance and Swedish Migration PolicyResearchAuthorsJoseph Trawicki AndersonJessie JernAnja K. FranckAbstractStarting in 2015, Sweden embarked upon a series of policy changes designed to reduce the number of migrants arriving to Sweden. Even though the effect of these policies on migrant a...

12/08/2026

👋 Välkommen till höstens första panelsamtal i seminarieserien “Migration och Integration i svensk politik – Vad säger forskningen?”, i samarbete med Göteborgs stadsbibliotek.

💬 Kvällens tema Är förorten ett slagträ i debatten? belyser ungas situation i förorten med fokus på identitet, stigmatisering och sociala villkor.

✨ Varmt välkomna!

📅 Datum: 7 september
📍 Plats: Göteborgs stadsbibliotek, Götaplatsen 3
🕕 Tid: 18:00–19:30

🔗Läs mer: https://www.gu.se/evenemang/ar-fororten-ett-slagtra-i-debatten

🇬🇧 English

👋 Welcome to the first panel discussion of the autumn in the seminar series “Migration and Integration in Swedish Politics – What Does the Research Say?”, organised in collaboration with Gothenburg City Library.

💬 This evening’s theme, “Suburban Communities as Political Scapegoats in the Public Debate?”, explores the situation of young people living in suburban areas, with a particular focus on identity, stigmatisation, and social conditions.

✨ A warm welcome to everyone!

📅 Date: 7 September
📍 Venue: Gothenburg City Library, Götaplatsen 3
🕕 Time: 18:00–19:30

Link in English in the comments!

Panelsamtal om unga i förorten, identitet, stigmatisering och sociala villkor.

11/08/2026

✨Migration researcher awarded the Pam Fredman Prize 2026 🙌

Professor Gregg Bucken-Knapp is the recipient of the 2026 Pam Fredman Prize. He receives the award for his work in developing creative approaches to lifelong learning for social sustainability, with a focus on migration, inclusion and democratic participation.

👉Read more: https://www.gu.se/en/news/migration-researcher-awarded-the-pam-fredman-prize-2026

The Pam Fredman Prize was established in 2017 as a farewell gift to Pam Fredman, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Gothenburg from 2006 to 2017. The prize is awarded annually to a deserving teacher, researcher, or group of teachers and researchers who, in the spirit of Pam Fredman, have made valuable contributions to social sustainability and lifelong learning.

Centre on Global Migration - CGM
University of Gothenburg

18/06/2026

Read the latest news from Centre on Global Migration - CGM

In this newsletter:

· Thank You for a Successful Spring Seminar Series 🎓
· Upcoming Events Autumn 2026 📅
· The Swedish Research Council’s Graduate School in Migration and Integration: Courses Open for Application📖
· Europe’s New Migration Pact: Researchers’ Reflections on the Reform 💬
· New Publications 📚
· New CGM Policy Brief 📄

👉🔗 https://gansub.com/t/pm/6570528873263/

University of Gothenburg

02/06/2026

The EU’s new Pact on Migration and Asylum brings major changes to Europe’s asylum system. As the reform approaches implementation, researchers Andrea Spehar and Karin Åberg examine what it could mean for Sweden and the challenges that lie ahead.

(Additional link to Swedish text in the comments)

https://www.gu.se/en/research/europes-new-migration-pact-researchers-reflections-on-the-reform

Centre on Global Migration - CGM
University of Gothenburg

On 12 June 2026, the European Union’s Pact on Migration and Asylum will officially enter into force, introducing the most extensive reform of EU migration policy in decades. Developed in the aftermath of the 2015 refugee crisis and adopted in 2024 after years of political deadlock, the Pact is int...

19/05/2026

Missa inte chansen att lyssna till en forskningsbaserad diskussion om migration och integration. I samtalsserien "Vad säger forskningen?" möts forskare inom olika ämnesområden för att diskutera brännande politiska frågor och koppla dem till aktuell forskning på området.

Just nu två planerade tillfällen:

19 maj, kl. 18.00–19.30, Göteborgs stadsbibliotek
Migration i medier och politik: språk, retorik och opinion https://www.gu.se/evenemang/migration-i-medier-och-politik-sprak-retorik-och-opinion

20 maj, kl. 12.00–13.00, Göteborgs stadsbibliotek
Integration i praktiken – betydelsen av civilsamhället och sociala företag https://www.gu.se/evenemang/integration-i-praktiken-betydelsen-av-civilsamhallet-och-sociala-foretag

Samtalsserien är ett samarbete mellan University of Gothenburg och Göteborgs stadsbibliotek.

Missa inte chansen att lyssna till en forskningsbaserad diskussion om migration och integration. I samtalsserien "Vad säger forskningen?" möts forskare inom olika ämnesområden för att diskutera brännande politiska frågor och koppla dem till aktuell forskning på området.

Just nu två planerade tillfällen:

19 maj, kl. 18.00–19.30, Göteborgs stadsbibliotek
Migration i medier och politik: språk, retorik och opinion

20 maj, kl. 12.00–13.00, Göteborgs stadsbibliotek
Integration i praktiken – betydelsen av civilsamhället och sociala företag

Samtalsserien är ett samarbete mellan Göteborgs universitet och Göteborgs stadsbibliotek.

Läs mer: https://www.gu.se/nyheter/migration-och-integration-i-svensk-politik-vad-sager-forskningen

12/05/2026

(in English below) Efter gårdagens välbesökta seminarium om integration i praktiken passade vi också på att tacka Andrea Spehar för hennes föreståndarskap och för allt fantastiskt arbete hon har lagt ner på att stärka Göteborgs universitets migrationsforskning, utveckla nya forskningssamarbeten och bygga starka relationer med samarbetspartners. Vi är många som är mycket tacksamma!

Tack också till Iqra Sohail Aslam för den fina filmen!

After yesterday’s well-attended seminar on integration in practice, we also took the opportunity to thank Andrea Spehar for her leadership and for all the fantastic work she has done to strengthen migration research at the University of Gothenburg, develop new research collaborations, and build strong relationships with partner organisations. Many of us are deeply grateful!

Thank you also to Iqra Sohail Aslam for filming this!

Centre on Global Migration - CGM

08/05/2026

Snart är det dags! (ENGLISH BELOW)

Den 12 maj kör vi andra seminariet i vår seminarieserie: “Migration och Integration i svensk politik – Vad säger forskningen?” i samarbete med Göteborgs stadsbibliotek.

Det andra seminariet handlar om utvisningspolitik och välfärdsstatens gränser – väldigt aktuella frågor i svensk politik.

💬 Vill du veta mer och delta i samtalet? https://www.gu.se/evenemang/valfardsstatens-granser-utvisningspolitik-ghettolagar-och-villkorade-rattigheter

It’s almost time!

On May 12, we are holding the second seminar in our seminar series, “Migration and Integration in Swedish Politics – What Does the Research Say?”, in collaboration with the Gothenburg City Library.

The second seminar focuses on deportation policy and the boundaries of the welfare state — highly relevant issues in Swedish politics today.

💬 Would you like to learn more and join the conversation? See the link in the comments!

Panelsamtal om utvisningspolitik, välfärdsgränser och rättigheter i Sverige.

30/04/2026

En vecka kvar! (English below)

Den 7 maj lanserar vi en ny seminarieserie: “Migration och Integration i svensk politik – Vad säger forskningen?” på Göteborgs stadsbibliotek.

Det första seminariet handlar om vandelsprövning och anmälningsplikt – frågor som har blivit allt mer centrala i svensk politik.

Vill du få en snabb introduktion inför seminariet?
Tillsammans med vår praktikant har vi tagit fram ett kort reportage som lyfter centrala insikter från forskningen bakom diskussionen:
https://www.gu.se/forskning/vandelsprovning-och-anmalningsplikt-ett-paradigmskifte-i-svensk-politik

Vill du veta mer och delta i samtalet?
https://www.gu.se/evenemang/vandelsprovning-och-anmalningsplikt-ett-paradigmskifte-i-svensk-politik

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One week to go!

On 7 May, Centre on Global Migration - CGM launches a new seminar series “Migration and Integration in Swedish Politics – What Does Research Show?” at Gothenburg City Library.

The first seminar focuses on conduct-based assessments and reporting obligations – a topic that has become increasingly central in Swedish politics.

Want a quick introduction before the seminar?
Together with our intern, we have written a short reportage that highlights key insights from the research behind the discussion: https://www.gu.se/en/research/conduct-based-assessments-and-reporting-obligations-a-paradigm-shift-in-swedish-politics

Curious to learn more and join the conversation? https://www.gu.se/en/event/character-assessments-and-reporting-obligations-a-paradigm-shift-in-swedish-politics

Panelsamtal om vandelsprövning, anmälningsplikt och svensk migrationspolitik.