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Migration Policy Centre

Migration Winter Academy: What the world thinks about migration?

Programme Start Date

03/02/2025

Delivery mode

Residential

Location

Badia Fiesolana

Fee

1.195 €

Discount options available

See the fees section

Application Deadline

15/11/2024 - 22:00 CET

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Programme Description

The 2025 Migration Winter Academy offers a unique opportunity for participants to discuss cutting-edge research on some of the most pressing issues on a global scale around the regulation of migration, displacement, and refugee protection today.  

Through a blend of expert-led sessions, discussions, and case study work, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the factors that shape attitudes to migration. Whether you’re a researcher, policymaker, or practitioner, the 2025 Migration Winter Academy provides a perfect platform to discover research findings, engage, exchange ideas, and contribute to broader conversations in this field.

The focus of the 2025 Migration Winter Academy will be on the latest research into public attitudes toward migration and how these perceptions shape national and international migration policies globally. The framing of displacement, migration, and protection as a "crisis" often involves representations—or misrepresentations—of the scale of migration and the number of people seeking protection. This crisis narrative may exaggerate or distort the actual figures, shaping public perception and policy responses. Additionally, it reflects the political tensions and strains that emerge as leaders grapple with migration.

Information for applicants

By bridging the gap between research and policy, the 2025 Migration Winter Academy equips participants with the knowledge to engage critically with ongoing debates and contribute to policy innovations.

It does so using innovative research that explores: the factors that can shape migrants’ decision-making; the underlying drivers of public attitudes to migration and migrants; and the development of related policy ‘narratives’ and communication strategies that can effectively appeal to the public and build support for more effective governance. 

Through expert-led sessions and interactive discussions, participants will explore how public preferences influence the development of policies that regulate migration flows, refugee protections, and asylum procedures. They will also critically examine whether and to what extent public preferences should shape policies.

Eligibility

Successful applications will satisfy the following criteria:

  •  A relevant Master’s degree or equivalent experience;
  • A strong professional and/or research background in international migration;
  • An excellent working knowledge (speaking and writing) of English;
  • The availability to attend the entire teaching sessions of the programme. 

Researchers, civil servants, journalists, teachers, and professionals from intergovernmental and governmental agencies working in migration-related areas are encouraged to apply.

FAQs

What is the format of the academy?
The 2025 Migration Winter Academy will follow a problem-oriented approach to encourage critical engagement. Over the course of the 5 days, participants will be supported by extensive background material, debates, group work, individual drop-in sessions with tutors plus sessions during which attendees can present their own projects.

What is the deadline to apply?
Applications should be made by submitting a completed form by 1 November at 22:00 CET  to benefit from the early bird fee (€995) and by 15 of November at 22:00 CET for the full fee (€1195). We regret that applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

Do I have to attend in person?
Yes, the Migration Winter Academy requires in-person participation. Being physically present will allow you to fully benefit from the immersive learning environment and group dynamics.

Sessions will take place in English.

Do you assist with visas?
The Migration Policy Centre prepares for selected applicants a visa invitation letter that can be used for the visa application.

Fees

Fee 1.195 €

Early bird and groups 995 € [ -20%]


The fee includes: all tuition fees, all course materials, access to the EUI library, Wi-Fi access at the EUI,  lunches and coffee breaks on lecture days. 

All participants are requested to organise and cover expenses for their travel to and from Florence, as well as their local transportation in Florence and accommodation. The MPC secretariat will support the selected candidates in finding the accommodation. 

Early-Bird Fee

Applicants who will submit their application by 1 November at 22:00 CET will benefit from an early-bird fee of 995€.  The selected candidates who will benefit from the fee-waiver are kindly requested to organise and cover expenses for their travel to and from Florence, as well as their local transportation in Florence and accommodation.

Scholarships

Two scholarships of up to a max of 1200 euros per participant will be funded by the Migration Policy Centre on a merit basis. Attendance will be free of charge.

Scholarships are meant to cover partially travel and accommodation costs (hotel and flight tickets will be requested as supporting documentation for the reimbursement) and they will be awarded to outstanding candidates applying from low-income and lower-middle-income economies  and/or those who have lived experience with forced displacement according to the following criteria:

  • PhD students and Postdocs, early- or mid-career professionals (e.g. in politics, civil service, media and non-governmental organisations), able to demonstrate both professional experience and potential for future excellence in the policy sphere;
  • Genuinely engaged individuals involved in policy issues related to migration either through registration on a PhD programme or through demonstration of substantial relevant career experience;
  • Self-motivated, able to present a clear explanation of why and how the applicant will benefit from participation in the summer school;
  • Fluent in written and spoken English.

EU-Widening grants

Eight grants of 500€ each will be awarded to outstanding candidates who are citizens of the countries that belong to the EU-widening region. The successful participants will have to pay the fee to attend the training and will receive at the end of the Academy 500 euros as reimbursement for the costs incurred to attend the training (hotel and flight tickets will be requested as supporting documentation for the reimbursement).

Applicants may only submit one application, either for a full-paying place or for a scholarship place. Scholarships are not intended for participants who can be funded by their own institutions.

Themes / Areas

Coordinators

Contacts

Application deadline:
15/11/2024 - 22:00CET

Apply