Project description
Rethinking migrant networks and economic vulnerability
In the face of mounting challenges, the ERC-funded SHADOW project aims to explore a groundbreaking sociological framework to understand how social networks can heighten migrants’ economic vulnerability in Europe. Traditionally seen as supportive, these networks can also hinder access to labour markets and spread misinformation, creating social welfare deficits. By integrating theories from sociology, social psychology, and political science, SHADOW maps these networks and examines the constraints they impose, such as stigma or misinformation. This research uses a mixed-method approach across four migrant groups to uncover how welfare states influence these deficits. Overall, the project will provide new insights into migration studies and aid policymakers in crafting interventions that enhance migrants’ economic stability.
Objective
SHADOW develops a new sociological theoretical framework, studying how social networks impact migrants’ economic vulnerability by creating social welfare deficits. In sociology, social networks have been assumed to improve migrants’ economic position by providing financial, informational, and instrumental support. Yet, evidence from other disciplines shows that they can also be harmful by serving as gatekeepers to labour markets or by providing misinformation. SHADOW addresses this gap in sociological understanding.
SHADOW integrates theories from sociology, social psychology, and political science, introducing a novel multi-level, multi-group theory about why and how social networks can increase migrants’ economic vulnerability. First, it will use administrative data to identify and map the networks linked to migrants’ economic vulnerability. Second, it will examine how social networks increase vulnerability, testing a new theory of social welfare deficits - liabilities and constraints imposed by social networks- like pressure, misinformation, or stigma. Third, it will study migrants’ reactions to these social welfare deficits, such as distancing from harmful networks. Last, it will look at how welfare states impact these deficits and migrants’ economic vulnerability. SHADOW will compare four migrant groups residing in Europe with vastly different migration backgrounds and network structures.
SHADOW will use a mixed-method approach, including administrative, survey, qualitative, and experimental data. It will advance the field of migration studies and generate a breakthrough in the sociological approach to social capital by including its negative impacts. SHADOW will also help policy-makers and stakeholders to design better policy interventions targeted at improving migrants’ economic position in Europe.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-STG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
3584 CS Utrecht
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.