DFG Research Unit 5183

Transborder Mobility and Institutional Dynamics

transMID is a DFG Research Unit which investigates the intersections of transborder mobility and institutions from a transdisciplinary, transnational and transregional perspective. It addresses an existing research gap since, to date, social scientists have often explored mobility and migration separately from institutions and institutional dynamics.

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About transMID

This Research Unit brings together scholars from sociology, anthropology and political science in order to examine the nexus between transborder mobility and institutions from a transregional and transnational perspective that extends beyond European host countries. It aims to explore the ways in which institutions frame, shape or control mobility (especially labour migration, educational migration and forced migration) and considers the influence of these forms of mobility on institutional endurance or change. Building on five closely intertwined subprojects, the particular focus of the Research Unit’s theoretical and empirical analyses are the institutional dynamics – i.e. processes of institutionalisation, de- and re-institutionalisation and institutional pluralisation – that accompany transborder mobility and the mechanisms of internal and external institutional regulations of mobility. 

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News

Workshop/Retreat 03.-06.02.2026

Intersectionality


The Research Unit 5183’s Young Scholars met in February 2026 in Neuendettelsau for a workshop and retreat that was framed by the theme of ‘intersectionality’. 

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Symposium 04.-05.09.2025

Moving Across Borders and Institutional Dynamics


In the beginning of September 2025, the Research Unit 5183 and guests gathered in Siegen for an international symposium which aimed at showcasing the findings of the unit’s collaborative work and its subprojects.

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Author Workshop 07.-08.07.2025

The Nexus Between Institutional Practices and Immigrant Agency


In July 2025, members and guests of the Research Unit 5183 met for a two-day author workshop at the University of Siegen and online. The Research Unit welcomed Professor Dr Oliver Schmidtke from Canada in Siegen. 

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Spokesperson

Prof Dr Karin Schittenhelm
Department of Social Sciences
University of Siegen
Adolf-Reichwein-Str. 2
57068 Siegen
schittenhelm@soziologie.uni-siegen.de

Deputy Spokesperson

Prof Dr Katharina Inhetveen
Department of Social Sciences
University of Siegen
Adolf-Reichwein-Str. 2
57068 Siegen
inhetveen@soziologie.uni-siegen.de

Scientific Coordinator

Dr Dominik Schieder
Department of Social Sciences
University of Siegen
Adolf-Reichwein-Str. 2
57068 Siegen
dominik.schieder@uni.siegen.de

Secretary

Beata Koziol
H-E 205
University of Siegen
Hölderlinstr. 3
57076 Siegen
beata.koziol@uni-siegen.de