Message shared with SPA members on behalf of Dr Idil Akinci (University of Edinburgh)
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Dear colleagues,
I am seeking expressions of interest from SPA members to form a new Policy Group on Citizenship, Migration and Social policy.
At this particular moment, perceptions about migrants’ access to services, benefits, permanent settlement, and citizenship are at the heart of both anti-immigration demonstrations on the streets and wider debates in welfare politics and public discourse. These issues are shaping policy directions in ways that make it essential for social policy scholars to contribute evidence and insight. I believe the SPA offers an important platform through which we can organise, inform, and shape debate in this field.
The SPA’s call over the summer has expressed a particular interest in the formation of groups that explore the interplay between social policy and citizenship/migration, signalling to the importance of this matter. Building on this emphasis, the proposed group would not only examine these issues in the UK context but would also take a global perspective. Across the world, we see a trajectory of increasingly selective and conditional approaches to migration and citizenship: on the one hand, the restriction and control of mobility for those with limited financial or human capital, and on the other, fast-tracked residency and citizenship pathways for the wealthy or highly skilled. This group aims to explore these dynamics and their implications for welfare and social policy more broadly.
I am therefore inviting SPA members with research and teaching interests in these themes, whether around welfare access, settlement and citizenship, migration governance, or the wider politics of migration, to get in touch if you are interested in joining this initiative.
Practical details
- The deadline for expressions of interest is 13th October 2025. If you are interested in joining as a team member to propose this policy group, please get in touch via email on idil.akinci@ed.ac.uk by 6th of October. Expression of interests for new groups should include members’ area of work, how they meet the criteria set out in the SPA call, and set of activities they propose to do within time and budget set in the call.
- New Policy Groups will run initially for a two-year period (January 2026 to December 2027), with the possibility of extension if the group’s work is considered successful.
- The SPA will commission one core team for each Policy Group. Ideally, this will comprise two team leaders (one a more experienced academic and the other at an earlier career stage) and 4 to 8 members in total (all of whom must be SPA members). The group will also be expected to provide a wider network for those interested in its work, including individuals beyond the SPA membership.
Best wishes,
Idil Akinci (University of Edinburgh)