Advanced digital technologies and temporary migration decisions
Project Lead
Team Members
Ashika Niraula, Rica Agnes Castaneda, Mireille Paquet, Ayesha-Jade Reece (external link) , Richa Shivakoti, Sivakamy Thayaalan (external link)
Sub-theme
The role of ADT in mediating migration decisions and their impact on expectations about life in Canada
Projects in this sub-theme explore how ADTS such as online platforms, social media, and AI influence migration decisions by shaping information infrastructures, impacting mobility aspirations, and altering settlement experiences for immigrants.
Objective
A growing number of individuals are admitted to Canada through temporary permits. This heterogeneous population experiences a different information environment than Canada's traditional 'ideal' permanent economic migrants and face unique challenges to access correct information on opportunities, program rules, and life in Canada.
This project will document the producers of Advanced Digital Technologies (ADTs)-based information targeting temporary migrants and consider how ADTs-based information has affected strategic decisions about immigration in Canada.
Research question(s)
- What ADTs-based information are migrants exposed to?
- How are temporary migrants from India, Nepal, and the Philippines affected by ADTs-based information and related strategic decisions?
Methodology
This project will rely on interviews with temporary migrants in Canada, qualitative and quantitative content analysis of digital platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, Instagram and WeChat, and on the implementation of a survey of aspiring and established migrants.
Status
Phase 2 of this project, focusing on conducting survey design/implementation, interviews, and content analysis, is ongoing.
Expected completion: December 2026
Outcomes
Publications:
Niraula, Ashika. 2025. “Canada’s immigration process is increasingly digitized, but that can make if difficult to navigate” The Conversation, March 9. https://theconversation.com/canadas-immigration-process-is-increasingly-digitized-but-that-can-make-if-difficult-to-navigate-249381 (external link)
Keywords
ADTs; advanced digital technologies; migration decision; temporary migrant; temporary migration
