Work Package 1 concerns the Further conceptualization and theoretical framework of the EUMAGINE project. It is coordinated by the University of Antwerp (Belgium) and runs from February through March 2010.
This work package will further elaborate and refine the project’s preliminary theoretical foundations in order to arrive at a theoretically sound and methodologically operational framework. A profound literature study will be carried out to further elaborate on the impact of perceptions on: 1) Human rights (including women’s rights) and democracy in countries of origin, and 2) Migration aspirations and decisions.
It will bring together concepts and theoretical models of various disciplines, namely economics, law, human geography, sociology, anthropology, psychology and political sciences. All partners are expected to provide relevant input for the further conceptualization and development of the theoretical framework. The initial research questions will be reviewed and if necessary reformulated in the light of the refinement of the theoretical framework. We will then develop a set of clear, testable and falsifiable hypotheses on the basis of the revised framework. During the Kick-off meeting of March 2010 in Antwerp (the 1st Consortium and Scientific and Policy Committee meeting) the theoretical framework was discussed in order to ensure that all partners are on the same track concerning objectives, theoretical framework, hypothesis, research questions and methodologies used in the project. Project Paper 1 on the conceptualization and theoretical framework will be published on the EUMAGINE project website.