The biennial Conference on Migration Research in Austria took place from 14 to 16 September 2026 at the University of Vienna. In its 9th edition, the conference was held under the theme “The Relevance of Migration Research”.
As part of the conference, IOM Austria as National Contact Point Austria in the European Migration Network (EMN), organized a workshop entitled “The Role and Impact of Migration Policy Research: A Multi-Level Perspective”.
Given the complexity and politicization of migration, research is essential in supporting and informing policymaking processes with evidence. However, studies by migration researchers have indicated that scientific and expert knowledge on migration is often disregarded in policymaking, and plays only a minor role in public debates. At the same time, various forums, such as the European Migration Network (EMN), and formats of policy research, such as commissioned research, exist that are specifically geared towards informing policymaking and are directly funded and requested by policymakers. This panel focused specifically on policy research to shed new light on the academic debate surrounding the impact of migration research.
The panel used the EMN as a case study, allowing the simultaneous consideration of the impact of policy research in the field of migration from national and regional (EU) perspectives. The workshop showcased examples of the EMN's policy impact and shed light on how policymakers can make use of migration policy research, and it also featured perspectives from academia and international organizations outside the EMN.
Podium
Saskia Heilemann
Saskia Heilemann is Head of the Policy Research and Migration Law Unit at the IOM Country Office for Austria and National Coordinator of EMN Austria. In this role, she is responsible for the overall coordination of the National Contact Point Austria within the European Migration Network. She holds a master's degree in International Development from the University of Vienna.
Hans Lemmens
Hans Lemmens is Coordinator of EMN Netherlands, based at the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). In this role, he is responsible for the execution of the annual EMN Work Programme in the Netherlands, coordinating research and policy dialogue on migration and asylum between national and European stakeholders.
Dario Tarchi
Dario Tarchi is Senior Expert in the Demography and Migration Unit of the EU Joint Research Centre. The Unit analyzes the impact of demographic trends, examines drivers of migration, analyzes public opinion on migration, and provides support to the Pact on Migration and Asylum.
Philip Schmidt
Philip Schmidt is the Head of Unit for International Migration Communication and Research at the Austrian Federal Ministry of the Interior. In this role, he is responsible for the implementation of information campaigns on migration and for developing strategic approaches to international migration policy. He also serves as the Austrian Member of the EMN Steering Board.
Andreas Steinmayr
Andreas Steinmayr is Professor of Empirical Economic Research at the University of Innsbruck. He completed his PhD in Economics and Finance at the University of St. Gallen and was a visiting scholar at the Harris School of Public Policy Studies at the University of Chicago, before joining LMU Munich and later Innsbruck. His research interests include applied microeconometrics, labour economics, and the economics of migration and education.
Moderation
Leila Hadj Abdou
Leila Hadj Abdou is Deputy Head of the Policy Research and Migration Law Unit at IOM Austria, responsible for supervising research within EMN Austria. Before joining IOM Austria, she worked as a lecturer and researcher in Italy, Austria, the UK, and the US. She holds a PhD from the European University Institute in Florence.