About Migration Matters

OUR STORY & MISSION

Migration Matters e.V. is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2016 by four migrant women with backgrounds in journalism, education, migration research, and civic engagement in response to media coverage about the so-called ‘refugee crisis’. We are based in Berlin, Germany.

At the time, we noticed three concerning trends: 1) migration being increasingly problematized and presented in a “pro” vs. “con” framework, 2) a lack of academic research and evidence reaching the public, and 3) the voices of those most affected missing from the debate. Our mission became to help host societies navigate and hold better conversations about complex issues related to migration and diversity to combat increasing polarization and discrimination.

Through media productions, dialogue events, and trainings, our team makes research, evidence, and original perspectives on migration and diversity issues accessible to the public to encourage evidence-based debate and, ultimately, to foster inclusive, resilient, socially cohesive communities.

Since 2016, we have produced over 150 bite-sized videos on topics ranging from the relationship between migration and climate change to integration and diversity and migrant lives during the pandemic that feature academic experts, practitioners, the public, and those with lived experience. We also design, organize, and participate regularly in events that promote dialogue with various target audiences and train civil society, academics, and others in digital storytelling and media production.

Our videos and resources are used widely across Europe and beyond in classrooms, teacher and journalist trainings, online journalism, social media campaigns, and advocacy efforts. Interested in collaborating with us? Learn more on our partners page or get in touch below.

OUR TEAM

Sophia Burton

Sophia Burton

Sophia is a co-founder and the managing director of Migration Matters whose work lies at the intersection of migration, media, and online education. She has over 12 years of experience in project management and network development and has previously worked at Mediendienst Integration, Kiron Open Higher Education, and Migration Policy Institute. Sophia holds a Masters in International Education Policy from Harvard University. Find her on Twitter at @SophiaKBurton.

Bernadette Klausberger

Bernadette Klausberger

Bernadette is a film and media producer who develops innovative projects at the intersection of art and education. Originally from Austria, she studied film production at the dffb in Berlin, as well as media studies and cultural management. In collaboration with artists and scholars, she works on new ways to tell stories and effectively engage audiences. She served as executive board member from 2017-2019 and now works as a freelance producer and creative director for Migration Matters.

Karoline Popp

Karoline Popp

Karoline joined our Executive Board in August 2019 and has more than 12 years of experience in the field of migration. She currently researches German and European migration policy questions at the Expert Council on Integration and Migration in Berlin, having previously worked with the IOM in Geneva and Cairo. Karoline holds degrees from Oxford University and the School of Oriental and African Studies. Find her on Twitter at @KarolinePopp100.

Rebecca Ferreboeuf

Rebecca Ferreboeuf

Rebecca joined our Executive Board in February 2024, bringing a strong background in research and seven years experience in the fields of migration, access to education and work for refugees, as well as capacity-building of migrant organisations in Germany and the MENA region. Rebecca has worked for British Universities and non-profit organizations in Berlin, most recently at the Association of German-Syrian Aid Organizations (VDSH). She holds a PhD in French and Francophone studies from the University of Leeds.

Issa Gueye

Issa Gueye

Issa joined the Migration Matters team in 2023 as a student assistant supporting on workshop coordination, social media, and communications. He is a master’s student at Humboldt University studying Asian and African studies and holds a bachelor’s degree in Business and International Management. Issa has worked as a local producer for a WDR documentary in Senegal and has a keen interest in film, digital storytelling, and contributing to a more nuanced debate on migration.

Lee Lester Portrait

Lee Lester

Lee is a freelance producer specializing in the production of meaningful video projects, and a facilitator/coach of transformative group processes. Having produced campaigns for clients including Greenpeace and Endeva, he joined Migration Matters in 2023 to work on its digital output, and will co-teach and mentor participants of its Erasmus+ project over the coming year. His production work can be found at www.meaningful.video and his facilitation on Instagram at @embodied.empathy.

Karoline Schulz

Karoline Schulz

Karoline is a film editor in Berlin who has worked on numerous Migration Matters productions. She edits documentary, informational, and campaign films for various organizations and museums, as well as long documentaries that run successfully at international festivals. She studied history at the Humboldt University in Berlin and editing at the HFF “Konrad Wolf” in Potsdam-Babelsberg. She has been a freelance editor since 2008. Learn more about her work at karolineschulz.com.

Anna van Odijk

Anna van Odijk

Anna is a communications designer who prefers to develop empathetic designs for projects that are in the artistic and socio-political realm. She studied communication design at the Merz Akademie Stuttgart and graduated in 2005 with a Master of Arts in European Media. Since then she has been working as a designer in agencies and as an independent designer in Berlin and Lake Constance. You can learn more about her work at www.annavanodijk.com.

Julian van Dieken

Julian van Dieken

Julian is a filmmaker, photographer and media producer based in Berlin. He shoots documentaries, produces educational videos and online courses. He has worked with, besides, and in front of the camera for over 15 years. You can see more of his work at: www.vandieken.com and follow his AI artistic endeavors on Instagram at @julian_ai_art. He also coaches companies on the use of AI tools in creative processes, and gives talks and workshops on this topic.

Julia Karmo

Julia Karmo

Julia is a journalist and founding editor of Migration Matters. Motivated by the acute need to improve the public’s understanding of migration, she initiated the project in 2015, established the first academic partnerships, and led the development of the first three courses on the platform. Julia is now engaged as an ambassador and freelance producer. She can be found on Twitter at @juliakarmo and contacted at julia.karmo@gmail.com.

Kelly Miller

Kelly Miller

Kelly is a co-founder of Migration Matters who served on our Executive Board from 2016-2020 and has worked on numerous Migration Matters video series. She is a techie, translator, and advocate for inclusive societies. Kelly holds degrees in European studies, social anthropology, and interactive technology design and currently works in quality assurance and agile product management. She can be found on Twitter at @kelmarie_miller.

THANK YOUS

Our work would not be possible without the support of many willing and gracious hands:

Miriam Aced
Sarah Brandmeyer
Valentina De Luca
Pamela Fernandez
Judith Garcia
Laura Hallensleben
Marike Hechter
Gemma Hennesey
Lilith Jogwer
Anna Kleibl

Laura Krause
Sang Eui Lee
Kelly Miller (co-founder)
Stefan Nielsen
Gijsbert Oonk
Frankie Reid
Elina Ribakova (co-founder)
Maja Richtermooc
Lauren Roop
Elisabeth Roura

David San Milian
Wendy Sexton
Livia Shallon
Jasmin Stark
Julia Stier
Romy St. John
Matthieu Tanguay-Carel
Björn Wengenmeier
Justin Wright
Laura Yeffeth