Local Histories of Migration and Mobility

Abstract

This paper reviews recent developments in the study of migration and mobility, suggests likely future directions and assesses their relevance for locality-based studies. Emphasis is placed on the connections between residential migration and daily mobility and on the contribution of mobility studies to migration research. Four key themes are pursued: the development of large digitized databases, the potential use of genetic data, the importance of longitudinal studies of migration, and the value of biographical information for migration research. It is suggested that more emphasis could be placed on comparative studies both within Britain and between Britain and other countries, on the role of transport and communications in migration, and on the ways in which migration and mobility connect to the wider social, economic, cultural and political structures of society.