Strand B - From Central and Eastern Europe to Ireland: children’s and young people’s experiences of migration and integration

Dr. Naomi Bushin

Introduction
Migrant workers and their families formed the largest migrant group in Ireland over the last five years. Research that has explored the migration flows of workers from central and eastern European countries to Ireland is beginning to emerge but so far it has concentrated on adults’ experiences only, despite increasing numbers of migrant children living in Ireland. The central aim of this research is to engage with children who have migrated from central and eastern European countries to Ireland, using children-focused participatory research techniques, so that their own perspectives on their experiences of migrating to and living in Ireland are revealed.

The majority of the children who are participating in this research project migrated to Ireland with their migrant worker parents or migrated individually to join parents who had already moved to Ireland for employment. A small number of children from these origin countries are currently seeking asylum in Ireland and some of these children’s experiences are also included within this research strand.

It is difficult to ascertain how many children from eastern and central European countries currently reside in Ireland because there is a lack of statistical data that includes children. One of the aims of this project is to explore the statistical data that does exist in order to ascertain the geography of central and eastern European child migrants in Ireland – age, location, length of stay. The motivations for family migration to Ireland are also explored within this project, incorporating parents’ opinions and perspectives. The other aims of this project focus exclusively on migrant children’s experiences of moving to and living in Ireland – constructions of identities and socio-spatial practices.  

Methodology
Although research in the area of child and family migration has increased in recent years, the development of comprehensive theoretical frameworks within which children’s experiences of migration and integration may be explored has been limited, particularly those that incorporate children’s own perspectives. The central aim of this research is to engage with children, using children-focused and children-centred participatory research techniques, so that their own perspectives on their experiences of migration to, and living in, Ireland are revealed.

Examples of research techniques that are being used are: photography, drawing, mental maps, life-journeying, journals, interviews, focus groups and brainstorming. Children can choose whether or not they take part in the project, are able to choose which activities they would like to participate in and can opt out at any time.

A ‘children-in-families’ approach is being taken in this research and thus parental perspectives are also being sought. Interviews are being conducted with parents who have migrated with children to Ireland from central and eastern European countries within the last four years. 

Contact details:
If you would like to become involved in this research or would like more information do not hesitate to get in touch:

Dr Naomi Bushin
Marie Curie Migrant Children Project
6 Bloomfield Terrace
University College Cork
Cork City
Ireland
E-mail: n.bushin@ucc.ie
Tel.: +353-21-4903698