The InQuire Migration Research Laboratory Program is a specialized initiative aimed at strengthening migration research in the Western Balkans and Türkiye. Implemented within the InQuire Research Incubator, this program is designed to equip early-career researchers with advanced research skills and the ability to develop high-quality research proposals relevant to policy discussions and program development in the region.
The Western Balkans Migration Network (WB-MIGNET) plays a key role in the program’s implementation by leveraging its regional expertise and research infrastructure. As a network of leading researchers and institutions across the Western Balkans, WB-MIGNET facilitates knowledge exchange, data access, and mentorship opportunities for program participants. This collaboration ensures that research conducted within the program is regionally relevant, methodologically sound, and connected to policy needs.
CREDI serves as the coordinator of the program, providing methodological guidance, training, and mentorship, while WB-MIGNET members support data collection, field research, and institutional networking within their respective countries.
Program Objectives
The InQuire Migration Research Laboratory Program aims to:
- Enhance research capacities of early-career researchers in migration studies.
- Support the development of high-quality research proposals that address key migration issues in the region.
- Promote collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and international organizations.
- Provide access to research infrastructure within the WB-MIGNET network.
- Foster policy-relevant research that contributes to evidence-based decision-making.
Collaboration and Mobility Opportunities
The program is designed to promote regional and international collaboration. Participants benefit from:
- Access to WB-MIGNET’s research infrastructure for data collection and analysis.
- Opportunities for mentorship and co-authorship with leading migration researchers.
- Study visits and exchanges to international research institutions (subject to selection).
- Participation in the final conference of the WBC-RRI.NET project in Skopje (February 2024).
Structure and Format
The program is structured as an intensive one-semester course (15 weeks), consisting of:
- Weekly online sessions (two-hour interactive lectures and discussions).
- Individual research activities, including proposal writing and data analysis.
- Mentorship from experienced researchers within the WB-MIGNET network.
- Practical experience working on real-world migration research projects.
Participants develop their own research proposals on a selected migration topic, with the best proposals receiving further support for implementation.
Impact and Previous Success
The InQuire Migration Research Laboratory Program builds on the success of two previous generations of young researchers in Bosnia and Herzegovina, who successfully completed a similar research training program within the InQuire Research Incubator. The third cohort expands participation to researchers from the entire Western Balkans region and Türkiye, further strengthening regional migration research capacities.
By fostering a new generation of migration researchers, the InQuire Migration Research Laboratory Program contributes to a deeper understanding of migration dynamics in the Western Balkans and beyond. With the support of WB-MIGNET, CREDI, and its research partners, this program helps bridge the gap between academic research and policy-making, ensuring that migration-related policies are informed by rigorous scientific analysis.