The Migration Institute of Finland (MIF) is Finland’s leading center for migration research and documentation. As the country’s only institute dedicated exclusively to the study of migration, MIF produces internationally recognized research on migration, mobility, transnationalism and social change while maintaining unique migration-related data and archives. Our interdisciplinary community of ~20 researchers leads and contributes to a wide portfolio of projects funded by international, national and regional funding bodies.
MIF’s research examines how migration shapes societies, communities, families and individual lives across local, national and transnational contexts. Our work spans interconnected thematic areas including Migration Systems and Policies; Wellbeing and Integration; Regions, Places and Spaces; Transnationalism and Diasporas; and Family and Generations. Across these themes, we investigate migration through a life-course perspective, exploring questions of mobility, belonging, wellbeing, inclusion, participation, and social change, both historically and in contemporary contexts.
Combining qualitative, quantitative and mixed-method approaches, our researchers address contemporary challenges such as labour migration, family reunification, forced migration, regional development, migrant wellbeing, ageing, diaspora engagement and migration governance. Particular attention is given to the relationships between policies, institutions and lived experiences, and to how migration is shaped by wider processes such as demographic change, globalization, environmental transformation and political uncertainty.
MIF is actively involved in international research networks, including IMISCOE, Nordic Migration Research (NMR) and Metropolis International. The institute also collaborates extensively with universities, municipalities, civil society organizations, and research centers in Finland and around the world. Through these partnerships, MIF produces impactful research that advances scholarly understanding while contributing to evidence-informed policy and public debate.
Research principles
Migration Institute of Finland takes ethical research seriously. We are committed to following the guidelines of the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity (TENK) as well as the science communication recommendations (PDF) of The Committee for Public Information (TJNK)
In addition, we are committed to the principles of open science. When possible, our publications are available free of charge, our research processes are documented, and research materials from completed projects are archived for use by other researchers. Further information on the principles of open science can be found at the Open Science website.
The Responsible Research website provides guidance for good practices in research ethics and science communication in Finland.