Transnational Perspectives on Migration and Integration (TRANSMIT)
The TRANSMIT research network examines migration as a complex, transnational, and social process. Its goal is to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of this process by analyzing the interactions between migration, integration, and border and migration policies across countries of origin, transit, and destination. TRANSMIT focuses on two regions of particular relevance to Germany in the context of migration: the Middle East and North Africa (MENA region) and West Africa. Since 2019, the team has been developing a comprehensive data infrastructure that enables transnational research on migration. In the new project phase (2025–2027), this infrastructure will be further expanded and utilized—alongside data collected in previous phases—to explore selected topics and innovative research questions. These questions are of interest to both policymakers and the public (in terms of their impact on political decisions and societal life) and the field of migration research (in addressing critical research gaps).
The project's core module focuses on five key topics that are analyzed in relation to one another: migration aspirations, gender, labor, health, and climate change. To facilitate in-depth research on these topics, the existing TRANSMIT data infrastructure will be expanded through targeted additional data collection. TRANSMIT continues to employ a multi-method approach that integrates both quantitative and qualitative elements. This research design enables an in-depth analysis of migrants’ motivations and experiences as well as the political frameworks governing migration.
During this project phase, the core module includes quantitative surveys in Morocco and Turkey, as well as qualitative studies in Iran (conducted digitally), Senegal, Gambia, Morocco, Turkey, and Germany. Additionally, a specialized focus module will examine the relationship between conflict and migration in Morocco and West Africa.
The qualitative and quantitative data collected in this new project phase will complement the existing TRANSMIT data infrastructure. This infrastructure will be made available to external researchers through the service module, with a particular emphasis on facilitating access for early-career scholars through targeted workshop offerings within the DeZIM Research Community (DeZIM-FG). In addition to high-impact academic publications, the project’s findings will be disseminated through accessible formats such as policy briefs, lunch discussions, and an interactive data explorer designed for policymakers and the public. This approach aims to enhance the visibility of international migration research within German discourse. Furthermore, in coordination with the Federal Ministry, research findings will be made available for timely policy input when needed.
The project’s preparatory phase was conducted between 2018 and 2019 under the name ExiTT.
A summary of findings from the 2020–2024 project phase can be found in the corresponding research report.
Selected Publications
2020 - 2024
Auer, D., Gereke, J., Schaub, M. (2023). Spiritual practices predict migration behavior. Scientific Reports 13, 12535.
Auer, D., Meierrieks, D. (2021). Merchants of death: Arms imports and terrorism. European Economic Review 137, 103813.
Auer, D., Meierrieks, D. (2024). Bribes and bombs: The effect of corruption on terrorism. American Political Science Review, forthcoming.
Auer, D., Schaub, M. (2023). Returning from greener pastures? How exposure to returnees affects migration plans. World Development 169, 106291.
Bogatzki, T., Meierrieks, D. (2024). Nicht einfach naiv. Gründe und Hintergründe des Menschenhandels in Nigeria. WZB-Mitteilungen 184, 48-51.
Bogatzki, T., Stier, J. (2020). Unerfüllte Wünsche. Für Frauen aus Gambia und dem Senegal ist Auswandern schwieriger als für Männer. WZB-Mitteilungen 169, 9-11.
Dimant, E., Krieger, T., Meierrieks, D. (2024). Paying them to hate US: U.S. military aid and anti-American terrorism. Economic Journal, forthcoming.
Greßer, C., Meierrieks, D., Stadelmann, D. (2021). The link between regional temperature and regional incomes: Econometric evidence with sub-national data. Economic Policy 36(107), 523–550.
Helbling, M., Auer, D., Meierrieks, D., Mistry, M., Schaub, M. (2021). Climate change literacy and migration potential: micro-level evidence from Africa. Climatic Change 169, 9.
Helbling, M., Meierrieks, D., Pardos-Prado, S. (2023). Terrorism and immigration policy references. Defence and Peace Economics 35(5), 646-659.
Helbling, M., Meierrieks, D. (2023). Global warming and urbanization. Journal of Population Economics 36, 1187–1223.
Helbling, M. Meierrieks, D. (2022). Terrorism and migration: An overview. British Journal of Political Science 52(2), 977–996.
Helbling, M., Meierrieks D. (2021). How climate change leads to emigration: Conditional and long-run effects. Review of Development Economics 25(4), 2323–2349.
Helbling, M., Meierrieks, D. (2020). Transnational terrorism and restrictive immigration policies. Journal of Peace Research 57(4), 564–580.
Helbling, M., Rybski, D., Schewe, J., Siedentop, S., Glockmann, M., Heider, B., Jones, B., Meierrieks, D., Rikani A., Stroms, P. (2023). Measuring the effect of climate change on migration flows: Limitations of existing data and analytical frameworks. PLOS Climate 2(1), e0000078.
Meierrieks, D. (2021). Weather shocks, climate change and human health. World Development 138(2), 105228.
Meierrieks, D., Renner, L. (2023). Islamist terrorism and the status of women. European Journal of Political Economy 78, 102364.
Meierrieks, D., Schaub, M. (2023). Terrorism and child mortality. Health Economics 33(1), 21-40.
Meierrieks, D., Stadelmann, D. (2024). Is temperature adversely related to economic development? Evidence on the short-run and the long-run links from sub-national data. Energy Economics 136, 107758.
Pañeda-Fernández, I. (2022). Natural disasters and preferences for redistribution: The impact of collective and abrupt disruptions. European Sociological Review 38(4), 575-589.
Schaub, M., Auer, D. (2023). Rebel recruitment and migration: Theory and evidence from Southern Senegal. Journal of Conflict Resolution 67(6), 1155-1182.
Stier, J. (2020). Senegalesische Corona-Songs als Sensibilisierungs- und Informationsquelle für wolofsprachige Geflüchtete und Migrant*innen. Z'Flucht - Zeitschrift für Flucht- und Flüchtlingsforschung 4(1), 131-148.
Stier, J. (2021). Die Macht der Bilder. Der Einfluss gesellschaftlicher Vorstellungen auf Migrationsentscheidungen. WZB-Mitteilungen 173, 34-36.
Stier, J. (2022). Wartende Jugend. Erwachsenwerden und Migration im afrikanischen Kontext. WZB-Mitteilungen 177, 36-38.
Stier, J. (2025). Migratory Imaginaries in the Context of Senegalese Migration to Europe – Mechanisms of (Re)Production and Implications for Migration Processes. Dissertation: Humboldt University Berlin.
Stier, J., Altrogge, J. (2024). Scheitern, Schulden, Stigma. Warum westafrikanische Migrant*innen nicht einfach zurückkehren, wenn der wirtschaftliche Erfolg ausbleibt. WZB-Mitteilungen 184, 44-47.
Tuki, D. (2024). Examining the ethnoreligious dimension of conflicts in Nigeria. Dissertation: Humboldt University Berlin.
Tuki, D. (2024). Examining the effect of gender, education and religion on attitudes toward gender equality in Nigeria. Politics, Groups, and Identities, 13(1), 1–27.
Tuki D. (2024). Undead past: What drives support for the secessionist goal of the indigenous people of Biafra (IPOB) in Nigeria? Journal of Race, Ethnicity, and Politics 9(1), 26-54.
Tuki, D. (2024). What does the population in Niger think about a military government? Democratization 31(8), 1740-1765.
Tuki, D. (2024). Violent conflict and expectation about the economy's performance: Evidence from Nigeria. Economics Letters 241, 111808.
Tuki, D. (2024). You’re not welcome! Violence and support for an open grazing ban policy in Kaduna, Nigeria. Environment and Security, forthcoming.
Tuki, D. (2024). Conflict exposure and expected victimization in Nigeria. Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression, forthcoming.
Tuki, D. (2024). Violent conflict and hostility towards ethnoreligious outgroups in Nigeria. Terrorism and Political Violence, forthcoming.
Tuki, D. (2025). Family support and migration in Nigeria. Africa Spectrum, forthcoming.
Tuki, D. (2025). Regional differences in support for secession among nembers of the Igbo ethnic group in Nigeria. Nationalism and Ethnic Politics, forthcoming.