For those interested in migration and migration theory, The Institute for Population Research at OSU is offering a seminar that may pique your interest.
A Re-appraisal of Thinking on and the Empirical Evaluation of Migration Theories
Dr. Fernando Riosmena
Associate Professor of Geography
Faculty, Population Program, Institute of Behavioral Science
University of Colorado, at Boulder
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
038 Townshend Hall
1885 Neil Ave.
Graduate students are welcome to attend the graduate student roundtable Tuesday morning, 11:30-12:15 in 038 Townshend Hall
Abstract: In some subfields of migration studies and social demography, there has been considerable effort to systematize knowledge on the drivers of population mobility around theories that explain the initiation or continuation of (international labor) migration flows. Despite attempts aimed at providing a general way to map macro-structural forces into everyday practices and actions (e.g., Morawska’s structuration theory), there has been little guidance on how the different theories’ overlapping scales of influence interrelate more specifically. I contribute to these efforts by critically analyzing the way in which the aforementioned migration studies subfields have deployed and tested theories, paying particular attention to the possible linkages between frameworks as root causes and catalyzers/triggers of the spatiality and timing of the initiation of flows. In addition, I provide a critique of the manner in which the relative validity of these theories has been tested (mostly quantitatively), suggesting some refinements on the empirical validation of theories and, more broadly, their use in guiding empirical analysis going forward.
Professor Riosmena’s research looks at how demographic processes are associated with the spatial and social mobility, well-being, and development in Latin American societies and immigrant communities from said region in the United States. His main research areas are immigrant health throughout different stages of the migration process and the role of U.S. immigration policy and social, economic, and environmental conditions in sending communities on the migration dynamics between Latin America and the United States.
Pizza and soft drinks will be provided
http://ipr.osu.edu/events/ipr-seminar-dr.-fernando-riosmena-university-colorado-boulder