Rethinking migration and movement

At Bristol, we’re exploring migration and mobilities in theory, policy and practice to contribute to a more just world.

Bristol’s unique approach to migration research

Our creative, conceptual and critical approach, connects migration to other forms of movement beyond the human and across time.  

 

Key Statistics

World-leading

5th in UK for research (THE analysis of REF)

Globally connected

Research partnerships in over 40 countries

Research-led teaching

Top 10 UK University (QS World Rankings, 2024)

Explore our perspectives

At Bristol we do not simply see human movement as a problem to be solved but use it as an interdisciplinary lens to discover unexpected connections between migration and other issues including race, welfare, environment and development.

We are impactful

Hear from Professor Katharine Charsley as she explains her latest research, exploring the experiences of the first cohort of UK-EU couples navigating the complexities of the UK's family immigration system post-Brexit. She has partnered with Reunite Families UK to raise awareness of the challenge, and together they aim to shape future policy and practice.  

We are transformative

In this film, Professor Bridget Anderson, Director of Migration Mobilities Bristol – a Specialist Research Institute focusing on migration research at the University, explains our transformative approach to migration. She highlights a shift in perspective that recognises how research shapes our world and emphasises the responsibility of researchers to drive positive change. 

 

We are shaping the future

The work of Dr Rob Sharples explores how school systems can be better aligned and better supported so that teachers can do what they need to support bilingual children. There are 1.6 million bilingual children in the UK, all at different stages of language learning. These can include children just entering pre-school or children arriving in the UK as teenagers – often having faced traumatic migration journeys.

We are interdisciplinary

Hear how labour lawyer and social-legal scholar Dr Manoj Dias-Abey and Brendan Smith, Professor of Medieval History have brought their different perspectives into conversation to develop new insights around migration and the status of a migrant. 

Research-informed education

As a research intensive university we are able to design and deliver teaching programmes based on cutting edge research evidence and expertise. We offer the opportunity to study issues connected to migration and mobilities in a range of areas.

Find out more