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Author: Sacha Billett

Migration is transforming communities across the globe and the research surrounding it must evolve just as rapidly. Since 2015, the IMISCOE–PÕ¾ÊÓƵ partnership has played a crucial role in meeting that need, providing a trusted platform for interdisciplinary analysis of one of today’s most complex challenges. As part of our long-standing commitment to supporting research and education, the IMISCOE Research Series has become a foundational resource for scholars, librarians, and policymakers alike.

Professor Anna Triandafyllidou, an internationally recognised sociologist and leading global expert on migration governance, shares her perspective on how migration research has shifted over the past decade and how digital publishing is shaping its future. As Chair of the IMISCOE Editorial Committee and Editor‑in‑Chief of the Journal of Immigrant and Refugee Studies, she plays a central role in guiding scholarly conversations across the field. With more than 160 peer‑reviewed publications and decades of leadership in international research collaborations, Professor Triandafyllidou brings a uniquely global and interdisciplinary perspective to the evolving landscape of migration studies.

How the 2015 migration crisis changed research and publishing 

The year 2015 marked a turning point in European migration history, but also in the evolution of academic publishing. As millions fled conflict in Syria and across West Asia, migration became a defining feature across multiple regions of the world. "Certainly, 2015 is an important year, the repercussions of which we still see today. 2015 was the year of the 'Wir schaffen das' ('We can do this'), and of significant solidarity towards people fleeing Syria," recalls Professor Anna Triandafyllidou. 

That same year, IMISCOE partnered with PÕ¾ÊÓƵ, aiming to make scientific knowledge on migration as globally accessible as possible. In times of crisis, access to knowledge matters most. The IMISCOE Research Series has helped overcome barriers and respond to urgent migration challenges by fostering collaboration and timely interdisciplinary research. 

Migration research underwent profound transformations after the 2015 crisis. As Professor Triandafyllidou explains, "Initially, it was a foundational moment for Europe becoming a land of refuge. It very quickly backfired. In 2016, we had the EU-Turkey statement and the closure of the borders through the Balkans, and after that, we see an increase in securitization, not just of migration but also of asylum".  

The shifting socio-political landscape and the new challenges demanded research that could capture the complexities of migration. What was needed was a publishing model that could keep pace with the rapidly evolving realities of people on the move while capturing the human dimensions of migration. 

Making migration research more accessible and impactful  

The partnership between IMISCOE and Springer represented a shift in how migration research would be produced, disseminated, and accessed. Four key innovations stand out: 

1.  Open access is expanding the reach of migration research 

"The series is Open Access. Now it's going to be 100% Open Access, but it was always the aim, I think on both the IMISCOE and Springer side at the time when it wasn't that common that books would be Open Access," Professor Triandafyllidou emphasizes. 

Before Open Access became widely embraced, this decision marked a notably progressive step. PÕ¾ÊÓƵ began piloting open-access book publishing in 2011, reflecting our strong commitment to making trustworthy, high-quality knowledge accessible to everyone. This commitment to open knowledge ensures that vital research can reach policymakers, NGOs, and researchers in the regions most affected by migration without barriers. By removing access limitations, Open Access helps close knowledge gaps and supports informed, evidence-based research and decision-making on a global scale. "The strategy of the series is to expand the knowledge base and to really offer a service to the student and research community in immigration studies," notes Professor Triandafyllidou. 

2. Digital publishing is enabling timely responses to global challenges 

The digital format of the series enables researchers to respond quickly to emerging issues. As Professor Triandafyllidou mentioned, "We had a volume in 2021 already on migration and pandemics that was trying to seize the moment." This flexibility ensures that scholarship remains timely and responsive, narrowing the distance between research and implementation. 

According to Professor Triandafyllidou, the series publishes around 10 books per year - almost one per month. This rapid pace, made possible by the digital publishing model, facilitates efficiency and a broader distribution, allowing important research to reach a global audience without delay. 

3. Global perspectives are strengthening migration scholarship  

Perhaps most importantly, the digital format has been instrumental in expanding the global scope of migration research. "Our series has become more global by design," explains Professor Triandafyllidou. "We have made a concerted effort to have editors and authors from the regions. So, when we write about West Africa, South and Southeast Asia, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and so on, we have people from those regions." 

This commitment to diverse voices challenges the traditional dominance of destination-country perspectives in migration studies. "I also find that in the research that we do, there's very much a bias from the country of destination, and we need to change that," she adds. 

4. Peer review is ensuring quality and academic integrity  

Professor Triandafyllidou proves that accessibility and quality can go hand in hand, emphasizing that the IMISCOE Research Series stands out for its full-manuscript peer review process, ensuring scholarly excellence. "The series is fully peer-reviewed. We ask for and review the full manuscript, not only the book proposal. It has also happened that we've rejected manuscripts or that they must go through revisions with detailed feedback."  

Advancing migration research for a changing world 

Migration continues to intersect with global challenges, and the IMISCOE Research Series is evolving to reflect these emerging realities. Digital technologies, from AI to broader tools, are reshaping politics and mobility. As Professor Triandafyllidou notes, migrants today navigate vast amounts of information, which highlights the importance of trusted sources and digital infrastructures that support informed decisions.  

Geopolitical shifts are also influencing migration in powerful ways. The growing role of mobility in political discourse calls for thoughtful, inclusive research. As Professor Triandafyllidou suggests, migration studies benefit from broadening their scope, moving beyond Eurocentric frameworks and recognising migration as a central force in societal transformation. 

The  highlights the power of eBooks in advancing migration research by combining accessibility with academic rigour. It delivers timely, diverse and socially relevant scholarship to communities worldwide. Explore the series and connect with a global network of researchers shaping the future of migration studies, because what we publish and how we shape it helps build a more informed and connected world.  

When the shelf went digital 

2026 marks twenty years since we launched our eBook collections. Much has changed in that time across science, technology, and society. Can you remember a time before social media, when Obama took office, or when the Higgs Boson was discovered? Explore our timeline of 20 major scientific milestones that have shaped our lives and the books we publish. Visit . 

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