Frequently asked questions
Here are our answers to frequently asked questions. Submit your question.
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Who funds the Migration Observatory?
The Migration Observatory is funded by Unbound Philanthropy, the Barrow Cadbury Trust and the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. COMPAS, where the Migration Observatory is based, is core funded by the Economic and Social Research Council. For more information, see our funders’ page.
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How does the Migration Observatory relate to COMPAS and the University of Oxford?
The Migration Observatory is a project of COMPAS, which is an ESRC-funded migration research centre at the University of Oxford.
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Who provides analysis for the Migration Observatory?
The Migration Observatory includes analyses from a large number of contributors. They include Senior Researchers working directly for the Migration Observatory, resarchers at COMPAS, and experts from the Refugee Studies Centre, International Migration Institute and the Departments of law, economics, politics, sociology, development studies and geography at the University of Oxford.
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You say that you are engaging users and responding to their needs and comments. How are you doing that?
Most parts of our website provide opportunity for users to make comments on our work. Users can also suggest new briefings or policy primers. We are open to engaging in discussion with anybody about the accuracy and interpretation of our data and analysis. If we get things wrong, we will say so and correct it!
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You say that you will be transparent. How will you achieve that?
Migration data are complex and characterised by significant gaps and limitations. We highlight what we know and don’t know about migration in the UK and are transparent in the reasoning behind our commentary. Most migration policy questions do not have one right answer. Whenever we comment on specific policy question, we are clear about the analysis underlying our views.
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Many different organisations claim to be independent. What do you mean by it?
We interpret independent analysis as work that is strictly based on a careful and balanced assessment of all the available evidence. We do not approach any issue with a particular conclusion in mind. Our analysis does not aim to achieve a particular policy outcome or to support the views of any parties or interest groups. Read more here.
