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Establishing the Global Migration Institute

About

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is establishing a new university institute focused on migration research, the Global Migration Institute (GMI). The GMI builds on TMU’s strengths in scholarly, research and creative (SRC) activities related to migration, diversity and integration. Recognizing the significance of migration as a defining global phenomenon, the GMI seeks to advance research and develop solutions to the challenges and opportunities presented by global migration.

The GMI proposal is being developed with input from the TMU research community and guided by the Advisory Committee. Building on the strengths of key TMU initiatives such as the TMU Centre for Immigration and Settlement (TMCIS), the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Migration and Integration (CERC) and the Migrant Integration in the 21st Century: Bridging Divides research program, the GMI embodies TMU’s commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, evidence-based policy and innovation. These efforts are aligned with TMU’s mission to foster inclusion, equity and resilience in response to global trends.

Strategically located in Toronto, one of the world’s most diverse cities, and in proximity to policy hubs in both Toronto and Ottawa, the GMI leverages TMU’s academic strengths, including the new law and medical schools, the Diversity Institute and other centres and institutes at TMU, and advanced education programs like the Master of Arts in Immigration and Settlement Studies. The GMI aims to serve as a hub for groundbreaking research, global partnerships and impactful solutions, reinforcing TMU’s leadership in addressing complex societal issues related to migration and integration.

Principles to Guide the Development of the Global Migration Institute 

The establishment of the Global Migration Institute (GMI) at TMU is guided by principles that reflect the university's commitment to addressing complex global challenges through interdisciplinary research, collaboration and evidence-based solutions. Key guiding principles include:

  1. Research Excellence and Innovation: Leveraging TMU’s strong research foundation, including programs like the CERC in Migration and Integration and the Migrant Integration in the 21st Century: Bridging Divides research program, the GMI strives for cutting-edge, impactful scholarship.
  2. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: By drawing on expertise across disciplines—including social sciences, health and the allied health professions, science, engineering, law, business, and public policy—the GMI aims to develop holistic solutions to the multifaceted impacts of migration.
  3. Evidence-Based Policy and Practice: The GMI emphasizes the importance of data-driven approaches to inform policy and address migration challenges at local, national and global levels.
  4. Capacity Building and Education: Through programs like the Master of Arts in Immigration and Settlement Studies, the GMI fosters the next generation of leaders in migration policy and research.
  5. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: The GMI prioritizes fostering equitable and inclusive societies by addressing migration-related challenges such as integration, equity and social cohesion in multicultural contexts.
  6. Global and Local Engagement: As a result of its location in Toronto and close to Ottawa’s policymaking hubs, the GMI seeks to bridge local realities with global migration trends through partnerships and collaborations.
  7. Sustainability and Impact: The GMI is designed to create sustainable frameworks for addressing migration challenges while ensuring long-term societal and economic contributions.

These principles position the GMI as a leading institute for migration research and solutions, contributing to Canada’s and the world’s evolving migration landscape.

How to Participate

Provide Feedback Online by February 28, 2025

We welcome you to share your responses to the discussion questions via the  (google form) online questionnaire (external link) , or via email to globalmigration@torontomu.ca (opens in new window) . We also encourage you to share any other comments or suggestions you may have.

Questions to Consider 

  • What are the key themes or research areas you believe the GMI should prioritize to address the most pressing migration and integration challenges globally?
  • What unique opportunities does TMU have to lead in establishing a successful GMI?
  • What potential barriers do you foresee in establishing the GMI and how can TMU address them?
  • How can the GMI foster interdisciplinary collaboration between faculties and departments at TMU to create innovative solutions to migration-related challenges?
  • What strategies should the GMI adopt to effectively engage with immigrant and refugee communities in Canada and internationally?
  • How can the GMI best support TMU students and early-career researchers in building expertise and contributing to migration research and policy?
  • How should the GMI balance its focus on global migration issues with the specific migration and integration challenges faced in Canada?
  • What methods or platforms should the GMI use to ensure its research reaches diverse audiences, including policymakers, practitioners and the public?

Next Steps

When the GMI’s Advisory Committee has completed its mandate, producing a draft proposal and budget for the institute. This proposal is set to undergo TMU’s senate approval process in Spring and Summer 2025, including reviews by the SRC Leaders Committee and the SRC Activity Committee. The proposal's development is a collaborative and comprehensive process, guided by iterative discussions within the committee and extensive stakeholder consultations to incorporate diverse feedback from TMU’s SRC community.

The committee will carefully integrate insights from these consultations to refine the draft proposal and budget in alignment with Senate Policy 144: Research Centres. The proposal will follow the collegial governance approval process and is on track to be presented to the Senate Scholarly Research and Creative Activity Committee in April with the goal of going forward to Senate for approval in May 2025.

The draft proposal will be available online from March 1, 2025 – March 15, 2025 to gather community feedback according to Policy 144. 

Advisory Committee to Establish the Global Migration Institute  

  1. Rupa Banerjee – Associate Professor, Human Resources Management and Organizational Behaviour, Ted Rogers School of Management; Canada Research Chair in Economic Inclusion, Employment and Entrepreneurship of Canada’s Immigrants; Co-Lead Employment and Lifelong Learning Theme, Migrant Integration in the 21st Century: Bridging Divides
  2. Harald Bauder – Professor, Geography and Environmental Studies; Founding (former) Director, Ryerson Centre for Immigration and Settlement (now Toronto Metropolitan Centre for Immigration Studies)
  3. Seth Dworkin – Professor, Mechanical, Industrial, and Mechatronics Engineering; Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Energy Modelling and Simulation; Academic Lead, Postdoctoral Fellows, Yeates School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
  4. Bilal Farooq – Associate Professor, Civil Engineering; Canada Research Chair in Disruptive Transportation Technologies and Services; Co-Lead Place and Infrastructure Theme, Migrant Integration in the 21st Century: Bridging Divides
  5. Martha Munezhi – Executive Director, Migrant Integration in the 21st Century: Bridging Divides
  6. Cory Searcy – Professor, Mechanical, Industrial, and Mechatronics Engineering; Assistant Vice-President (AVP), International  
  7. Stephanie Treloar, Senior Director of Development Strategic Initiatives, Advancement 
  8. Anna Triandafyllidou – Professor, Sociology; Scientific Director, and Citizenship and Participation Co-Lead, Migrant Integration in the 21st Century: Bridging Divides; Canada Excellence Research Chair in Migration and Integration
  9. Zhixi Zhuang – Associate Professor, Urban and Regional Planning; Academic Director, Toronto Metropolitan Centre for Immigration and Settlement (formerly Ryerson Centre for Immigration and Settlement)