A study about how global changes affect people’s ability and willingness for mobility
The goal of this project is to understand how migration movements are affected by Global Change processes like environmental and climate changes, demographic changes, consumption, energy and land-use developments, and economic and socio-cultural transformations. We use data modeling of social tipping points, a governance of crisis approach to macro-, meso and micro-levels and two mixedmethod case studies - (1) food security and belonging and (2) cultural survival and resilience - to suggest how countries can prepare for and respond to upcoming global changes while maintaining a focus on protecting, honoring and celebrating the heritages, cultures, identities and stories of people on the move. The project’s title, “Phoenix,” reminds us that individuals and societies can also follow an adaptive cycle of growth, maturity, vulnerability, and renewal – like the legend of the Phoenix, soaring back stronger after Global Changes is possible.
Understanding social tipping points
Phoenix explores how social tipping points are created by the intersections of quantifiable factors (such as environmental and economic changes) and the qualitative effects of governance failures and socio-cultural dimensions of vulnerability. By integrating natural and social science research using qualitative and quantitative data we go beyond the state of the art to identify migration hotspots and suggest interventions for future Global Change and (im-)mobility events. The project dives deep with two humancentric case studies of social tipping points: food security and resilience.
Governance models of climate mobilities
Phoenix utilizes GIS techniques to synthesize and integrate existing geographic, climate, economic, socio-cultural and longitudinal data sets to provide a solid foundation for understanding the complex factors of Global Change. Then, Phoenix expands the study of governance beyond traditional approaches focused on climate or migration to explore how we can utilize the theory of social tipping points as a way to integrate climate (im)mobilities across policy silos. We incorporate regional comparisons with reflections on the global scale of governance to provide concrete and out-of the-box policy recommendations.
Improving mobility and integration policy-making
Phoenix’s research and impact framework are designed to develop a holistic approach to Global change and includes all phases of governance cycles as well as a focus on post-mobility belonging and resilience. Since Global Changes have an uneven impact based on pre-existing vulnerabilities, and failure to understand this reinforces existing inequalities, Phoenix will study how vulnerabilities impact and are impacted by policies attempting to prevent and prepare for Global Changes. Of particular concern is how Global Changes (re)shape gender norms and inequalities for migrants and members of local communities. Our case studies are human-centric and explore how local cultural knowledge can be used to prevent and reduce existing risks, prepare for new lives after mobility, and ensure the sustainability of distressed societies.
By bringing together multiple lines of evidence and a focus on human agency in specific contexts, our research has the potential to transform the academic study of Global Changes and (im-)mobilities as well as to influence policymakers and public perceptions.
Research clusters
In order to tease the linkages between Global Change, mobility and resilience apart, our project, hereafter Phoenix, undertakes 5 research clusters:
Phoenix uses GIS techniques to build a comprehensive database on relevant aspects of migration and Global Changes such as environmental, governance, and economic factors, creating a solid foundation for an integrated systems approach to objectively identify social tipping points.
Phoenix examines governance across policy silos, identifying points of entry in humanitarian, development, agriculture, food, health, environment and climate policy, and will theorize governance frameworks holistically and beyond the confines of migration policy to increase policy coherence and impact via integrated governance.
This case study focuses on the link between economic, environmental and social conditions of migration by looking at how food access and supply (food insecurity), humanitarian food assistance, and what we call “food practices of belonging” drive migration, enhance post-migration integration and affect human well-being.
This cluster will contribute to an understanding of how the fear of cultural extinction, destruction and exclusion among vulnerable populations is expressed on an existential level.
Phoenix draws on the project’s natural science data modeling and social science researchbase to identify potential hotspots of migration and suggest coordinated interventions that protect vulnerable populations, enhance community well-being, and build societal resilience to Global Changes.