Concordia introduces the Institute for Research on Migration and Society, bridging the gap between Quebec and the rest of the country in tackling migration issues.
Earlier this month, Concordia University unveiled the Institute for Research on Migration and Society (IRMS), the first bilingual research hub in Canada. By encouraging collaboration between Quebec and the rest of the country, the institute aims to examine how digital technology affects migration.
“We’re the first bilingual immigration research hub in Canada, which is significant given the divided nature of immigration politics and research between Quebec and other provinces,” said Kassandre Thériault, coordinator of IRMS. “Quebec tends to have fully French research hubs focused on local contexts, while other provinces often don’t consider Quebec’s perspective.”
The IRMS is building partnerships with other universities across the country like the University of British Columbia and Toronto Metropolitan University. The institution is part of Canada’s First Excellence Research Fund (CFREF) for a project called Bridging Divides.
“The project looks at how digital tools, such as platforms for applying for immigration status, affect the immigrant journey — whether they make it easier or add complexity,” explained Thériault.
The research focuses on studying migration from a social science perspective, using an interdisciplinary approach and integrating computational social sciences.
The institute is not only focused on producing research and informing public policy but also on training graduate students. It is actively recruiting master’s and PhD students, offering funding and opportunities to contribute in their future projects.
The launch of IRMS represents a necessary initiative in the research and collaboration on migration issues, according to Julie Fortier, the deputy spokesperson at Concordia.
“We look forward to seeing our researchers inform further the important discussion happening right now in our country around immigration,” said Fortier. “This new hub will not only strengthen interdisciplinary research in this area but will support collaborations with scholars at other Quebec and Canadian universities.”
“Everything we do is bilingual,” said Thériault, commenting on the institute’s commitment to bilingualism as central to its mission. “This ensures we can effectively engage with both English and French-speaking communities, as well as work with universities and policymakers across the country.”
The institute brings a new dimension to Concordia’s research ecosystem by focusing exclusively on immigration.
“Our two senior researchers [Marie-Jeanne Blain and Mylène Coderre] are highly recognized in immigration studies, especially in Quebec, and our work is bringing national visibility to the university,” Thériault mentioned.
The launch of IRMS comes as Concordia faces tough choices about resource allocation, including the recent closure of the Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies (MIGS) due to budget constraints.
With new researchers joining, partnerships expanding, and projects launching, the institute aims to provide critical insights into one of Canada’s most pressing and politicized issues.
