Research project This project aims at understanding the role of so-called “social frontiers” that arise when neighbouring communities are very different in terms of their social make-up, and the spatial transition in these characteristics is abrupt, rather than gradual. Recent findings show that social frontiers are associated with higher levels of anxiety that may impede employment outcomes, leading to lower social mobility.
The rise in international migration has brought important cultural and economic opportunities. It has also posed challenges in terms of integration and access to labour markets. The aim of this project is to understand the role of so-called “social frontiers” in determining social mobility and integration. Social frontiers arise when neighbouring communities are very different in terms of their social make-up, and the spatial transition in these characteristics is abrupt, rather than gradual. Recent research finds that social frontiers are associated with higher levels of anxiety and crime.
Umeå universitets finansiering: 1 MSEK per år, NordForsk, Urban Lindgren
External members;
Aneta Piekut, universitetslektor
Liv Osland, professor
Meng Le Zhang, forskare
David Manley
Bertha Rohenkohl
Henrik Lindegaard Andersen
The rise in international migration has brought important cultural and economic opportunities. It has also posed challenges, both for migrants and for wider society, in terms of integration and settlement, access to labour markets, housing and education. The aim of this project is to understand the role of so-called “social frontiers” in determining the social mobility and integration of migrants and other groups.
Social frontiers arise when neighbouring communities are very different in terms of their cultural, ethnic and/or social make-up, and the spatial transition in these characteristics is abrupt, rather than gradual. Recent research finds that social frontiers are associated with higher levels of anxiety, depression and crime. Our concern is that social frontiers also impede education and employment outcomes, leading to lower social mobility.
Successful integration entails migrants being able to achieve “outcomes within employment, housing, education, health etc. which are equivalent to those achieved within the wider host communities”. These outcomes are vital because they offer migrants and minority/marginalised groups the opportunity and freedom to advance in the labour and housing markets, and acquire the resources and opportunities needed to connect with wider society.
One of the big challenges facing countries seeking to improve integration is that education and employment outcomes are related to where people live. However, the impact of neighbourhood boundaries—the areas of transition between communities—has received very little research attention. These boundaries could have important implications for social mobility and integration, particularly when they take the form of social frontiers.
Our pioneering study will examine the impact of social frontiers on social mobility and their implications for integration using a combination of detailed qualitative research and pioneering quantitative methods.
We shall achieve this by establishing a multidisciplinary research team spanning the UK, Norway, and Sweden. The research team will closely collaborate with a range of stakeholders at the local and national level. This engagement will maximize the relevance and accessibility of our research for public discourse and policy development.
The rise in international migration has brought important cultural and economic opportunities. It has also posed challenges, both for migrants and for wider society, in terms of integration and settlement, access to labour markets, housing and education. The aim of this project is to understand the role of so-called “social frontiers” in determining the social mobility and integration of migrants and other groups.
Social frontiers arise when neighbouring communities are very different in terms of their cultural, ethnic and/or social make-up, and the spatial transition in these characteristics is abrupt, rather than gradual. Recent research finds that social frontiers are associated with higher levels of anxiety, depression and crime. Our concern is that social frontiers also impede education and employment outcomes, leading to lower social mobility.
Successful integration entails migrants being able to achieve “outcomes within employment, housing, education, health etc. which are equivalent to those achieved within the wider host communities”. These outcomes are vital because they offer migrants and minority/marginalised groups the opportunity and freedom to advance in the labour and housing markets, and acquire the resources and opportunities needed to connect with wider society.
One of the big challenges facing countries seeking to improve integration is that education and employment outcomes are related to where people live. However, the impact of neighbourhood boundaries—the areas of transition between communities—has received very little research attention. These boundaries could have important implications for social mobility and integration, particularly when they take the form of social frontiers.
Our pioneering study will examine the impact of social frontiers on social mobility and their implications for integration using a combination of detailed qualitative research and pioneering quantitative methods.
We shall achieve this by establishing a multidisciplinary research team spanning the UK, Norway, and Sweden. The research team will closely collaborate with a range of stakeholders at the local and national level. This engagement will maximize the relevance and accessibility of our research for public discourse and policy development.
