Through a social space lens – Interpreting migration of the tertiary educated

Abstract

Higher education institutions are thought to rejuvenate and replenish local labour markets with recent graduates, especially in rural locales. While some graduates stay in the area of their alma mater, others return home or to other areas. The aim of this paper is to contribute a synopsis of research results from current peer-reviewed literature on the topic of internal (domestic) migration of the tertiary educated as well as introduce the concept ‘social space’ as a method for facilitating a relational interpretation of graduates’ migration propensity and location choices. Findings from this literature review indicate that regional characteristics, human capital and demographic factors are most often cited as affecting migration propensity and location choices among the tertiary educated. However, the interpretation of these factors is often taken in isolation and from economic perspectives. ‘Social space’, from four philosophical starting points, is discussed as an approach to understanding the interdependence of these factors. Examples of how higher education migration research can develop into different directions by using social space theory from different philosophical perspectives are also discussed.