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 charitable foundations and research grants. This includes a major, ten-year core grant from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, as well as core support from the Barrow Cadbury Trust and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. During FY2021-2, the Migration Observatory’s work has been supported by grants from:
- Paul Hamlyn Foundation
- Barrow Cadbury Trust
- Esmée Fairbairn Foundation
- Economic and Social Research Council
- Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
- Trust for London
- Research England’s Quality-related policy support fund
In the past we have also received grants from:
- Unbound Philanthropy
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation
- The ESRC’s UK in a Changing Europe Initiative
- Diana Memorial Foundation
- Oxford University’s John Fell Fund
- Transition Advice Fund
In addition to these grants, the Observatory participates in research contracts and consultancy agreements through Oxford University Innovation.
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.
