How Historical Memory Shapes European Policies Towards Syrian Refugees
Funded by IKEA Foundation Research Fellowship
Active 2017–2022
©
UNHCR/Olivier Laban-Mattei
As thousands of refugees and migrants came into Europe in 2015, one of the most common ways for them to arrive in the EU was through the Balkan route from Turkey. This research project is concerned with the reactions of countries at the end of the Balkan route (Hungary, Austria and Germany) to the mass arrival of Syrian refugees during the summer of 2015. In particular, it is investigating how state identity mattered for the political decision-making process.
Fieldwork has now been completed, including interviews with relevant politicians at the Forum Alpbach.