School of Geographical & Earth Sciences

Life after Migration: Opportunities and Challenges for young Europeans in the UK after Brexit

This research project explores the post-migration transitions and pathways for citizenship for European migrant youth (aged 16-26) in all four nations of the UK. It’s aim is to understand how young Europeans are navigating life after migration and planning for the future in the context of changing visa systems, the post-pandemic recovery and the rising cost of living. These young people have spent their formative years experiencing multiple transitions and border-crossings related to moving home, learning English, changing education systems, finding work in a precarious and austere economic climate and forming key relationships in the context of divisive political rhetoric surrounding immigration.

We have engaged with over 1500 young Europeans across the UK to build an understanding of youth transitions in education and employment, and how these shape prospects for citizenship and settlement in the UK.                                                               

The project combines quantitative and qualitative methodologies, including participatory research with young people. Our key objectives are to:

Explore the barriers to education and employment progression for European youth in the UK

Investigate how this cohort navigate Brexit-related uncertainties and plan for the future in relation to mobility and settlement

Document the modes of formal and informal citizenship that young people engage in, and understand how their sense of belonging and aspirations for permanent citizenship in the UK have been shaped by current geopolitical and economic transformations (e.g. Brexit, post-pandemic recovery)

Examine policy and practice opportunities and challenges for education providers (School, College, HE) and employers in their engagement with European young people in different parts of the UK

                                                                                                           Research Stages 

STAGE 1: WINTER 2022-2023

REVIEW THE EVIDENCE

Review secondary data on European migrant youth in post-16 education & employment.

STAGE 2: SPRING 2023 &2024

LONGITUDINAL SURVEY

Document experiences of European migrant youth transitions across 2023 &2024.

STAGE 3:  AUTUMN 2023/Winter 2024

QUALITATIVE INTERVIEWS

Gather perspectives of European migrant youth on transitions in education, work and lifecourse.

STAGE 4: SUMMER 2024

CREATIVE PRACTICE

Participatory workshops with European young people to understand meanings of citizenship.

STAGE 5: SPRING 2025

POLICY CHALLENGE

Goal-setting and impact workshops with representatives from policy and practice.

STAGE 6: SPRING/SUMMER 2025

SHARING THE RESEARCH

Disseminating our findings through interactive conferences and policy briefings.