Migration and Corruption

This open access reader describes the complex relationship between migration and corruption by looking at different forms of migration (voluntary and forced) as well as different forms of corruption. It examines how corruption can influence the decision to migrate, takes a closer look at the direct impact of corruption as a reason for migration, and explores how corruption can act as a reason to not return to the country of origin.  It also explores how migrant household face greater risks of corruption, how migrants throughout their journey are targeted by corrupt officials, and how corruption plays a role not only in making the decision to migrate but also determining the journey itself.  The reader explores in more detail how these experiences are gendered, how female migrants frequently face different forms of corruption, and how gender norms in the country of origin, transit and destination play in shaping how corruption is encountered throughout the journey. Throughproviding an overview, discussing the different challenges corruption and migration research face and concluding with recommendations for future research on the topic, this reader is an interesting read to researchers, policy makers and all those working in and beyond the field of migration studies.

Ortrun Merkle is a researcher at Maastricht University and the United Nations University-MERIT. specialising in migration, corruption, governance, and gender. She is internationally recognised for her work on the intersections of corruption and migration and for advancing research on gender and corruption, including sexual corruption and gender-transformative anti-corruption approaches. Her research spans both academia and policy, combining mixed-methods research with the development of practical tools and recommendations for governments and international organisations. She has led and contributed to numerous international research and advisory projects for organisations including the United Nations, GIZ, the Council of Europe, the European Union, and Transparency International. Alongside her research, she teaches at the Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD levels and regularly develops and delivers executive training programmes for policymakers and practitioners worldwide. Her work aims to bridge academic research and policy practice to strengthen evidence-based approaches to migration and governance.

Melissa Siegel is a Professor of Migration Studies and Head of Migration Studies at the Maastricht University and the United Nations University-MERIT. She has over two decades of experience in the field of migration, public policy and development. She is Co-Director of the Maastricht Center for Citizenship, Migration and Development (MACIMIDE) and currently holds the Chair of the UNU Migration Network and a position as a Research Associate at the Center on Migration, Policy and Society (COMPAS) at the University of Oxford. She is also on the advisory board of the Migration Policy Center, EUI, and the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS), Erasmus University Rotterdam. She has done visiting research fellowships at Harvard University, the Kiel Institute for the World Economy and the University of Oxford. She has advised, worked on or headed projects for a number of governments and international organizations. She is also regularly involved in migration-related trainings for governments and International organizations and teaching at the Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD level. She has also given advice at the United Nations and European Commission on migration issues. Her main research interest lies in the causes and consequences of migration with a strong emphasis on the linkages between migration and development. She also has a popular YouTube channel with brings the topic of migration to the general public.

Giulia Mori is a Research Assistant and PhD candidate in Migration Studies at Maastricht University and UNU-MERIT. Her research focuses on the causes and consequences of migration, with particular interests in migration and development, migrant networks, diaspora engagement, labour migration, integration policies, migration and corruption, and migrants’ rights. She contributes to policy-oriented and academic research projects for European and international organisations and has co-authored policy reports, working papers, and book chapters. In addition to her research, she develops and delivers migration-related courses, training materials, and capacity-building activities for students, policymakers, and practitioners. Giulia holds a double-degree MSc in Public Policy and Human Development, specialising in Migration Studies, from Maastricht University and UNU-MERIT. Her doctoral research examines how different types of migrant networks shape development and well-being in countries of origin.