Research project "PUMOMIG" (BRAIN-be program)

As the current migratory context and political difficulties to face it has led to an increase of the public opinion’s polarisation regarding asylum and refugees, it is important to address this question. ‘PUMOMIG’ project will analyse this polarisation and its links to policies, as it is necessary for a better understanding of the current debate on migration in Europe and Belgium.

The project will follow two objectives, with a European comparative perspective and a specific focus on Belgium. First, the project will investigate the public opinion towards asylum seekers and refugees, but also how these groups perceive Belgium, its asylum system and its reception policies. The second objective is to analyse the polarisation of the public opinion by focusing on pro and anti- refugees’ actions at the local level. The focus is then on attitudes, representations, discourses and practices about refugees, on the interactions at the local level between the majority populations and newly arrived migrants.

This research will allow understanding the links between public opinion and the implementation of asylum and reception policies. The project includes research teams from three Belgian universities: ULB - A. Rea, M. Gagliolo, KULeuven and ULiège.

End of the project: 15/06/2019