National and Cultural Identity of Slovenian Emigration in the Context of Migration Studies

The new period of this research programme will focus on the long-term inquiry of migration processes from and to Slovene ethnic territory and examine the cultural, political and socio-economic position of Slovene emigrants and immigrants to Slovenia, past and present. The programme represents a continuation of the previous one, with an addition of updated guidelines, a breakdown of thematic areas and a widening of methodological approaches. The programme supplements the past researches both in the sense of general aspects of international migration and ethnic studies and through the examination of special, overlooked or underresearched historical and current topics, from the point of view of both emigration and immigration. Particular attention is payed to case studies and syntheses of research results to date.

Research is carrying out in the following thematic clusters:
I. Migration – state – policy
II. Migration – mobility – labour
III. Migration – culture – communities

The research objectives are:
1. To conduct long-term basic research into migration phenomena in Slovenia and examine related social, economic, cultural and political aspects and topics from a contemporary and historical perspective. 
2. To broaden the spectrum of research questions and topics covered by migration studies through the inclusion of as yet underresearched topics, with a special emphasis on current topics linked to the dynamics and challenges of contemporary developments.
3. To update the theoretical, methodological, epistemological and terminological contribution to migration studies through involvement in international research trends and the exchange of knowledge. With the help of case studies, the programme group aims to contribute to the critical evaluation and substantiation of migration and integration theories, policies and practices from the point of view of the welfare state, social stability and social and human rights.
4. To promote the study of migration topics within disciplines and at the interdisciplinary level as a relevant field of research and ensure the transfer of research findings into practice through cooperation with government offices and non-governmental organisations and in the fields of education, culture and associational activities.