Charsley, K., and Hoellerer, N. (2025) Migrantisation: A key concept. Comparative Migration Studies, 13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40878-025-00497-1 [open access, available here].
Abstract: Migrantisation has become a key concept among scholars attempting to de-naturalise and de-centre the migrant/citizen binary. It has, however, been used in a variety of ways that have not always been clearly delineated. In this paper we tease out the strands of development of the concept, distinguishing different usages of migrantisation, and propose a new terminology to clarify the ways in which the term can serve a variety of purposes at different analytical levels. In particular, we identify two separate strands in the literature: ‘demographic migrantisation’ and ‘categorical migrantisation’. The latter is most consequential for Migration Studies, and so forms the main focus of this article, along with two further contributions developing from the categorical migrantisation approach: ‘migrantisation as an analytical perspective’, and the recently introduced concept of ‘experiential migrantisation’. Our discussion foregrounds the multi-dimensional nature of categorical migrantisation, which takes place across multiple domains, and is intersectional and contextual in character. In creating a more systematic understanding of the concept of migrantisation, we hope to lay clearer foundations for future research.
Other relevant publications
Wray, H. (2024). Family reunification and Article 8 ECHR: Three steps towards a fairer balance. European Human Rights Law Review, (5), 392–410. https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.T2024121900031900273524597
Charsley, K. & Wray, H. (2023) Kept apart: Routine family separation in the UK family immigration system as times of crises. Migration Studies, mnad008. https://doi.org/10.1093/migration/mnad008 [open access] [available here].
Wray, H., Charsley, K., Kolbaşı-Muyan, G. and Smith, L. (2023) Introduction to Special Issue: Family Migration in Times of Crisis, Migration Studies, mnad026. https://doi.org/10.1093/migration/mnad026 [open access] [available here]
For a full list of peer-reviewed journal articles on Brexit and migration in Social Science journals since 2015, we recommend the fully searchable database ‘Mapping social science research on Brexit and migration‘ by MigZen (Rebordering Britain & Britons after Brexit).
You can also visit our Resources & Support page for other relevant research projects.