Study title

The data was gathered during fieldwork which took place between February 2014 and August 2016, and involved the collection of 207 in-depth interviews with migrants across both urban and rural locations. In recruiting participants, we focused upon those who had been resident in Scotland for more than one and less than ten years. 59 expert interviews were conducted with a range of stakeholders: representatives of local councils, service providers, migrant associations, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) practitioners and employers.

This project studies perspectives and experiences of 'social security' amongst migrants from Central Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union in Scotland. Through its long-term and deep engagement with migrant communities in a number of urban and rural sites, including 2 large cities, a number of smaller towns and remote rural locations, the project delivers significant new and original empirical data, and has generated new academic insight through an innovative synthesis of existing theoretical frameworks. Moreover, the project develops practical and policy outcomes and solutions through the use of participatory action research. A first phase of in-depth qualitative research identified key themes and areas of concern, drawing particularly on migrants’ own experiences and perspectives. This was followed by the phase of participatory action research, during which the project team worked directly with migrants, migrant organisations, policymakers, service providers and employers to develop practical projects addressing particular issues. The process of developing these projects was underpinned by short, medium and long-term goals relating to the determination of 'best practice', and the potential for replication in broader local, regional and national contexts.