*
*The Institute for European Studies (IES) invites applications for the
position of a PhD researcher for a maximum duration of four years (beginning
in November 2007). The IES is a Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence of the
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). Its research focuses on the role of the EU
as a global actor and on the interaction between the internal and external
dimensions of EU policies and between EU policies and other international
institutions and organisations. More information on the institute and its
research strategy can be found here
*The IES seeks proposals for PhD projects in a legal discipline or political
science (or a related social science) that help us advance our knowledge
about the driving forces and most promising policy responses to migration
and diversity both in Europe and in the context of development. Comparative
studies between Europe and the traditionally immigrant societies of the New
World might be helpful in determining promising policy paths. Proposals
addressing legal issues are particularly encouraged.*
*Rationale*: As the Global Commission on International Migration noted in
its 2005 report, "human mobility is not only becoming more complex in scope
and scale, but is also becoming more complex in its nature". Many of these
complexities and the crosscutting factors involved are not yet well
understood. Migration brings with it a wealth of issues concerned with human
interaction especially in our large cities. These include differences of
culture, legal tradition, religion and customs and the acceptance of such
diversity amongst the local population. They also encompass practical
matters such as how to deal with language in schools and how to integrate
migrant children into the educational system, health issues, sensitivity in
policing migrant neighbourhoods and other social and legal questions.
Proposals should have a clear conceptual foundation and could focus on one
or several of the following issues that are of particular relevance in a
European context:
- Integration of migrants into host societies. Although there is a
considerable literature on strategies for integration of migrants, further
study needs to be done on the effectiveness of government intervention as
opposed to *laissez-faire*, policies for dealing with concentrations
of migrants in European cities, the role of the private sector in job
creation and social issues relating to isolation from family and culture.
- Policy formation regarding economic migration for employment and
self-employment. Key aspects of this issue encompass the effects of
declining demography and the increasing dependency ratio in Europe, the
effects of economic migrants on employment levels, wage levels and other
market factors such as the need for workers to fill jobs in the current
favourable European economic climate and the desirability of immigration for
wealth formation.
- The effectiveness of different types of visa regimes such as
temporary work permits, high skilled and points based schemes, job matching,
"circular" migration schemes in particular the effect of such schemes on the
sending countries' development such as "brain gain" and remittances.
- Control of illegal migration. There is a lack of exploration of the
success or failure of strategies currently being employed (notably
regularisation or amnesties for illegal migrants, carriers' liability or
criminal penalties for employing illegal workers which are largely ignored)
as well as the factors determining this success or failure.
- Responses to mass migration. There has been little examination of
the effects of armed conflict on migration and of the best methods of
dealing with mass influx of migrants created by human action or natural
disasters. A current example is the effect of conflict (such as in Iraq or
Afghanistan) which is politically and militarily supported by potential
receiving European states on the migration issues of nationals of the
countries in conflict.
- Relationship between human rights and migration law. There is a need
to further explore the contradictions between human rights law and the
perceived right of nation states and the EU to control access to their
territory. This can, amongst other questions, include issues relating to the
Geneva Convention 1951 on the right to asylum, the extension of states'
control of immigration beyond their borders (for example by stationing
liaison officers at foreign airports or processing asylum applications
outside their territory) or data protection matters in relation to
electronic control systems. There are potential conflicts between rights
under the Geneva Convention and rights under the European Convention on
Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms which might be explored in the light
of decisions in the European Court of Human Rights and the European Court of
Justice.
- The effects of European trade and aid policies on migration. One
area of inquiry might be how the EU can modify its policies in the various
trade negotiation fora a such as the WTO or the Cotonou Agreement in order
to mitigate possible effects of these policies on migratory patterns. The
same reasoning applies to aid policy in particular how migration issues can
be best incorporated into development projects in the light of the various
EU communications on this issue.
An important criterion for the selection of the successful candidate will be
that a qualified supervision and promotion of the PhD can be ensured at the
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). Applicants are therefore encouraged to
identify potential promoters at the VUB and to indicate these in their
application, if possible.
*Remuneration:* PhD bursary or equivalent (appr. 1500 Euros net per month)
*Duration:* Four years (subject to annual reviews) as of 1 November 2007
Applications including:
1. a detailed Curriculum Vitae,
2. a clear PhD proposal,
3. a list of publications,
4. a letter of motivation and
5. two letters of recommendation
should be sent to the Academic Director of the IES:
Institute for European Studies
The Academic Director
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
Pleinlaan 2
B-1050 Brussels (Belgium)
or by email: ies@...
*Deadline for the application: 30 September 2007*
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