Based at the Centre on Migration, Policy and Society (COMPAS) at the University of Oxford, the Migration Observatory provides impartial, independent, authoritative, evidence-based analysis of data on migration and migrants in the UK to inform media, public and policy debates, and to generate high-quality research on international migration and public policy issues.
The Observatory’s analysis involves experts from a wide range of disciplines and departments at the University of Oxford.
The Migration Observatory receives funding primarily from academic research grants and charitable foundations. During FY2023-4, the Migration Observatory’s work has been supported by grants from:
- abdrn Financial Fairness Trust
- Barrow Cadbury Trust
- Economic and Social Research Council
- Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
- Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
- Horizon Europe
- Oak Foundation
- Oxford University’s John Fell Fund
- Paul Hamlyn Foundation
- Research England’s Quality-related policy support fund
- Trust for London
- Unbound Philanthropy
In addition to these grants, the Observatory participates in research contracts and consultancy agreements through Oxford University Innovation.
In the past, we have also received grants from:
- ESRC UK in a Changing Europe Initiative
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
- Transition Advice Fund
Academic integrity and impartiality
The Migration Observatory is completely impartial. It promotes no political position, and its analysis aims to enrich the public debate on migration regardless of the views of its users. As a result, it is important that the content of the Migration Observatory’s research is determined solely by its staff with the support of its Expert Advisory Board and cannot be influenced by its financial supporters.
The objectivity and quality of the Migration Observatory’s research is assessed by its Expert Advisory Board. It also follows rigorous peer review processes to ensure that its work is accurate and balanced.
