Migration is often perceived as a simple process of moving from a country of origin to a country of destination. In reality, it is far more complex — shaped by a range of motivations, overlapping journeys, and constantly evolving policy frameworks.
From April 15th till 17th, at Toronto Metropolitan University, the Global Migration Institute brought together researchers and practitioners from across disciplines to explore these complexities at the conference “Rethinking Complex Migration: Flows, Frames, and Futures.” Over three days, discussions spanned migration governance and diplomacy, the role of emerging tools like big data and AI, and the growing importance of creative and participatory research methods. A key thread throughout the gathering was the need to rethink how migration is studied, understood, and communicated in an increasingly interconnected world.
As part of the conference, our colleague Bernadette Klausberger contributed to a roundtable on participatory creative methods. She reflected on Migration Matters’ storytelling projects and collaborations between researchers, filmmakers, and migrants, focusing on a central question: what can storytelling and film contribute to knowledge production in migration research?
To illustrate this, Bernadette shared the trailer and an excerpt from “Stories of Return: Asmir – Back to Bosnia? Back to Berlin!”, a migrant portrait from our Rethinking Return Migration video series, as well as insights from Migrant Lives in Pandemic Times, a digital storytelling project we co-led in 2021 which brought together researchers, filmmakers, and migrants. These examples opened up a conversation about the intersections between filmmaking and migration research — and how creative approaches can deepen our understanding of lived experiences.
The roundtable sparked a lively and engaged discussion. Key reflections included:
- Moving images and real-life stories can capture dimensions of experience that written research alone often cannot.
- Storytelling is not just a tool for communication, but a method that can generate new empirical insights.
- Co-creation is central — the process matters just as much as the outcome.
- Ethical responsibility is key: toward those who share their stories, and in representing uncertainty in ways that remain accessible and honest.
- Sustainability matters: how can we ensure these stories continue to live on and resonate across different contexts?
These conversations reinforced an important point: migration cannot be reduced to a simple movement from one place to another. It is shaped by complex realities, and understanding it requires approaches that are just as nuanced.
We’re grateful to the Global Migration Institute and Anna Triandafyllidou for the opportunity to share our work, exchange ideas, and learn from others in the field.