Comparative Migration Studies: an introduction

Abstract

This inaugural issue marks the launch of the new journal Comparative Migration Studies (CMS). Over the past decades, and especially since the 1970s and 1980s, migration studies has evolved rapidly as a research fij ield rooted in various disciplines. Like the phenomenon of migration itself, migration research has become increasingly globalized, which is manifested by the many migration research institutes across the world where academics from various disciplines work together. CMS will promote comparative migration research based on the fij irm belief that comparative work will promote the theoretical development of migration research as only through comparison can we discover what is specifij ic to a case. We understand comparative research in a broad sense and is involving four main areas (a point developed by Marco Martiniello in his contribution to this issue). One type compares people, which can be groups or categories of migrants in a particular situation. Another compares places, which could, for instance, be nations but also supranational entities, regions, cities, municipalities or neighbourhoods. A third type involves comparisons between diffferent (historic) periods, adding a historical dimension to comparative research. Finally, as migration research is a multi-disciplinary fij ield drawing from various disciplines and competing theoretical perspectives, the fourth type involves comparisons between these diffferent disciplines and theoretical perspectives. CMS will promote engagement by scholars in all these areas of comparative research across disciplines and diffferent theoretical perspectives. CMS has no preferred geographical focus and intends to adopt a global approach to its search for the best comparative research on international COMPARATIVE MIGRATION STUDIES