The digital mediation of migration: A qualitative thematic synthesis

Abstract

The highly complex economic, political, social and cultural processes of migration are increasingly digitally mediated. A rich area of research examining this phenomenon is emerging at the confluence of information and communication technology (ICT) and social sciences. However, little has been done to systematically review this literature. Through a qualitative thematic synthesis (QTS), this paper presents a fusion of recent research to identify: 1) what technologies are being used by migrants to the EU and how and 2) what are the impacts of technology on migrants and migration processes. By bridging the findings of multidisciplinary works, this QTS demonstrates how digital media and technology affect migrant experiences in both positive and negative ways as well as evidence of their impact on migratory trends. It highlights key gaps in the literature and suggests further areas for intervention, identifying the need for a cross-disciplinary research agenda that addresses causal relationships between effects of technology and migration processes.