With the continuing influx of people fleeing the war in Ukraine, as well as refugees from other areas that are less frequently in the news, these are exciting times for researchers working on migration issues. And that’s an understatement, says Jessica Hagen-Zanker. On behalf of ODI, she is coordinating several major research projects that are intended to shed light on various migration flows. The research focuses mainly on the effectiveness of policies.

"ODI’s goal is to expose injustice and inequality,” she explains. “Many countries try to reduce migration through measures like sending refugee boats back across the Mediterranean, or the British government's plan to fly refugees to Rwanda. That not only clashes with international law, but it’s also not an effective way to prevent migration. All it does is make migration less safe and more expensive. People come anyway, looking for a better life. Historically speaking, it's quite normal."

Short-term politics

Nor is keeping migrants out economically wise. "Throughout Western Europe there are huge shortages of manpower. In the manufacturing industry, healthcare, logistics, actually in most sectors. Migrants are a key solution, but politicians are afraid that embracing more welcoming policies will cost them votes and power. Nobody’s working on structural solutions, it's all short-term politics. With our research, we bring facts to light and propose solutions.”

Global think tank

ODI was founded in 1960 and now has more than 200 employees. In recent years it has been working to decolonise its research and engagement agenda; for instance, by dropping the old name Overseas Development Institute, with its colonial connotations and focus on ‘developing’ countries. Today the organisation is regarded as a serious global think tank on sustainability, economic development and social issues. And thus also migration, Hagen-Zanker's field of expertise. She joined ODI over 12 years ago, after studying International Economics and obtaining her PhD in Maastricht, where she also worked as coordinator of the master's in Social Protection Policy/Financing.

"The years have flown by," she reflects from her office in London. "I'm still far from finished, am still learning new things all the time. The world is in such a state of flux. The issue of migration is so vast. I want to contribute to solutions. And yes, we do have some successes, sometimes, where the right people read our research or use it for discussions. Occasionally we even see some changes in policy.”