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The article discusses approaches to the study of migration of the highly qualified, which provide a background for our ongoing research proejct in cultural anthropology at the University of Basel. "highly qualified migrants", "expats" et cetera, have become buzzwords in the media and political discourses. In economics and political sciences, they are sometimes conceptualized with regard to "brain drain" or "brain gain". Our project proposes to carefully examine these larger conceptualizations, as existing studies reveal a great diversity and heterogeneity regarding this "group" as well as their forms and ways of migration and mobility. We consider theoretical concepts that allow for complexity, such as mobility, transmigration, multilocality, transnational social spaces. Finally, with regard to methods, we propose an approach of biographical case studies in order to reveal not only individual narratives, experiencing and shaping of daily life, but also ways in which people react to and deal with political and legal frameworks as well as societal discourses.
Series title
Schweizerisches Jahrbuch für Wirtschafts- und Sozialgeschichte
