Periodic Reporting for period 2 - BRIDGES (Bridges to assess the production and impact of migration narratives)
Período documentado: 2022-03-01 hasta 2024-02-29
Interpretations are what determine responses much more than raw facts. This is true in all societal fields but in migration this is particularly evident. Despite the undisputable relevance of numbers for migratory processes and their consequences, interpretations are more and more related to broader problems such as anxiety about states’ perceived inability to control migration; fears about national identity and core values; or concerns about growing socioeconomic inequalities. Regardless of more evidence-based technocratic accounts, these anxieties often lead to symbolic policy decisions with major political and societal consequences. In a context of escalating politicization and polarization, where migration is frequently instrumentalized for political purposes, this project aims to scrutinize the narratives surrounding migration and integration.
BRIDGES overall objectives are:
• At the academic level: to analyse why certain migration narratives become dominant over others in public and political debates, also from a historical perspective; and to understand how these narratives influence individual attitudes towards migration in Europe, potential migrants' decisions in countries of origin and transit, and policy decisions at both EU and national levels.
• At the policy level: to promote evidence-based policy decisions. This is achieved through policy recommendations (including three Policy Briefs) on how to counteract a trend towards increasingly symbolic policies in the field of migration and integration; and participatory events with policymakers.
• At the societal level: to create dialogue spaces among the actors involved in narrative production. This was facilitated through the exchange of effective and innovative practices, a traveling photo-journalism exhibition, and a dual mural painting and hip-hop music contest to reflect on the challenges of multicultural and diverse societies.
To achieve the objectives, 32 Working Papers, 3 Policy Briefs, Gender Guidelines and a Synthesis Report summarising the key findings have been published. To contribute to the promotion of the research and the impact of the project, a great deal of audiovisual materials (30 videos, 3 podcasts, 9 infographics) were produced, and events organised in different countries with different stakeholders.
BRIDGES overall objectives are:
• At the academic level: to analyse why certain migration narratives become dominant over others in public and political debates, also from a historical perspective; and to understand how these narratives influence individual attitudes towards migration in Europe, potential migrants' decisions in countries of origin and transit, and policy decisions at both EU and national levels.
• At the policy level: to promote evidence-based policy decisions. This is achieved through policy recommendations (including three Policy Briefs) on how to counteract a trend towards increasingly symbolic policies in the field of migration and integration; and participatory events with policymakers.
• At the societal level: to create dialogue spaces among the actors involved in narrative production. This was facilitated through the exchange of effective and innovative practices, a traveling photo-journalism exhibition, and a dual mural painting and hip-hop music contest to reflect on the challenges of multicultural and diverse societies.
To achieve the objectives, 32 Working Papers, 3 Policy Briefs, Gender Guidelines and a Synthesis Report summarising the key findings have been published. To contribute to the promotion of the research and the impact of the project, a great deal of audiovisual materials (30 videos, 3 podcasts, 9 infographics) were produced, and events organised in different countries with different stakeholders.
To understand how facts turn into narratives and narratives into individual and collective responses, BRIDGES focuses on the causes and consequences of migration narratives, looking not only at migration narratives as such but also and particularly at the processes behind. With this purpose, the concept of ‘Migration Narrative Success’ was coined.
BRIDGES looked at the processes behind narrative production and impact. As for narrative production, it examined how narratives develop in media and social media. An in-depth study across six countries – Germany, France, Hungary, Italy, Spain, and UK – was conducted. The goal was not only to identify common narratives but also to explore what circumstances favour the emergence of certain narratives, how these spread, and which storytellers are key. News and posts from different outlets and social media platforms were analysed, focusing on arrivals and migration crises, debates on migrants’ rights and citizenship, and terror attacks. The project also looked at the role of alternative voices and their capacity to challenge, bunker or displace exclusionary narratives, highlighting key narratives as well as those who develop and foster them, in Germany, Italy and Spain. A mapping of organisations was conducted, and 6 initiatives were analysed in depth.
As for narrative impact, BRIDGES analysed how narratives determine individual attitudes and policy responses. The project conducted two online social psychological experiments in Spain and Hungary. The results provided revealing insights that can help us better understand the lives of migrants, transform our attitudes, and bridge the gap between different points of view. The project also looked at the impact of EU-funded information campaigns on the decision-making processes of potential migrants. The case studies were potential migrants in the Gambia and Afghan migrants in Istanbul, Turkey. The results show that the EU-funded narratives struggle to exert influence in light of the dominant narratives on migration and Europe.
The project also looked at how narratives shape policy responses. A key question in this case was whether narratives in public political debate and policymaking diverged and what this meant in terms of policy responses. At the national level, research was conducted in six countries (France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain and UK) on the 2015 European ‘migration crisis’, and on the Ukrainian refugee crisis following Russia’s invasion in 2022. At the EU level, the research focused on the debate around the opportunity to introduce a relocation scheme during the so-called ‘refugee crisis’ in 2015 and the activation of the Temporary Protection Directive for those fleeing the Russian aggression against Ukraine in 2022.
Furthermore, BRIDGES aimed to contribute to the co-creation of alternative textual and visual narratives together with CSO as well as artistic and media actors, with particular attention to the inclusion of migrants’ voices. A Toolkit was produced with key rules for CSO on how to build alternative and more inclusive narratives with capacity to change public debates. Furthermore, the photojournalist exhibition Out of Frame, displayed in Rome, Madrid and Brussels, was organised to reflect on the role of photojournalism in reiterating or subverting dominant media narratives on migration. Finally, as part of BRIDGES Hip Hop contest, the rap song “El Extraño” was composed and a mural painted by a mural artist.
BRIDGES looked at the processes behind narrative production and impact. As for narrative production, it examined how narratives develop in media and social media. An in-depth study across six countries – Germany, France, Hungary, Italy, Spain, and UK – was conducted. The goal was not only to identify common narratives but also to explore what circumstances favour the emergence of certain narratives, how these spread, and which storytellers are key. News and posts from different outlets and social media platforms were analysed, focusing on arrivals and migration crises, debates on migrants’ rights and citizenship, and terror attacks. The project also looked at the role of alternative voices and their capacity to challenge, bunker or displace exclusionary narratives, highlighting key narratives as well as those who develop and foster them, in Germany, Italy and Spain. A mapping of organisations was conducted, and 6 initiatives were analysed in depth.
As for narrative impact, BRIDGES analysed how narratives determine individual attitudes and policy responses. The project conducted two online social psychological experiments in Spain and Hungary. The results provided revealing insights that can help us better understand the lives of migrants, transform our attitudes, and bridge the gap between different points of view. The project also looked at the impact of EU-funded information campaigns on the decision-making processes of potential migrants. The case studies were potential migrants in the Gambia and Afghan migrants in Istanbul, Turkey. The results show that the EU-funded narratives struggle to exert influence in light of the dominant narratives on migration and Europe.
The project also looked at how narratives shape policy responses. A key question in this case was whether narratives in public political debate and policymaking diverged and what this meant in terms of policy responses. At the national level, research was conducted in six countries (France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Spain and UK) on the 2015 European ‘migration crisis’, and on the Ukrainian refugee crisis following Russia’s invasion in 2022. At the EU level, the research focused on the debate around the opportunity to introduce a relocation scheme during the so-called ‘refugee crisis’ in 2015 and the activation of the Temporary Protection Directive for those fleeing the Russian aggression against Ukraine in 2022.
Furthermore, BRIDGES aimed to contribute to the co-creation of alternative textual and visual narratives together with CSO as well as artistic and media actors, with particular attention to the inclusion of migrants’ voices. A Toolkit was produced with key rules for CSO on how to build alternative and more inclusive narratives with capacity to change public debates. Furthermore, the photojournalist exhibition Out of Frame, displayed in Rome, Madrid and Brussels, was organised to reflect on the role of photojournalism in reiterating or subverting dominant media narratives on migration. Finally, as part of BRIDGES Hip Hop contest, the rap song “El Extraño” was composed and a mural painted by a mural artist.
BRIDGES has improved the knowledge on the production and impact of migration narratives and has transferred it to the policy and social arenas.
At the academic level, the project has increased the understanding of how narratives are produced in the public and political debate, beyond the classic analysis of media and policy frames, by incorporating a truly interdisciplinary perspective. It has also improved our understanding of the effects of migration narratives on individuals, and on the process of policymaking, and how they are mutually affected.
At the policy level, BRIDGES has enhanced the understanding of narratives’ impact on the process of policymaking. This includes how policy debates in key institutions and venues are shaped; and how policy decisions, choices and outputs are influenced by intrinsic political dynamics, as well as by public debates and individuals’ opinions and behaviours. Three policy briefs have been produced, and several events with policymakers have been held.
At the societal level, the co-production activities to create new migration narratives has allowed greater outreach among migrants and civil society actors. These activities have emerged as innovative ways to move beyond stereotyped frames of migration and promote the debate with the affected communities, stakeholders, journalists and policymakers, while providing tools for civil society organisations.
At the academic level, the project has increased the understanding of how narratives are produced in the public and political debate, beyond the classic analysis of media and policy frames, by incorporating a truly interdisciplinary perspective. It has also improved our understanding of the effects of migration narratives on individuals, and on the process of policymaking, and how they are mutually affected.
At the policy level, BRIDGES has enhanced the understanding of narratives’ impact on the process of policymaking. This includes how policy debates in key institutions and venues are shaped; and how policy decisions, choices and outputs are influenced by intrinsic political dynamics, as well as by public debates and individuals’ opinions and behaviours. Three policy briefs have been produced, and several events with policymakers have been held.
At the societal level, the co-production activities to create new migration narratives has allowed greater outreach among migrants and civil society actors. These activities have emerged as innovative ways to move beyond stereotyped frames of migration and promote the debate with the affected communities, stakeholders, journalists and policymakers, while providing tools for civil society organisations.