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Melissa Siegel

@melissasiegel.bsky.social

61 followers 19 following 27 posts

Professor of Migration Studies @ Maastricht University & the United Nations University-MERIT, Migration Specialist, Policy Specialist

Posts Replies Media

Melissa Siegel @melissasiegel.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

What is the regularisation of migration/migrants? In this video, I discuss the regularisation of migration; what it is, why governments do it, typical types we see and eligibility as well as examples from regularisation around the world. @unumerit.bsky.social youtu.be/XcUyVnjv2jM?...

What is the Regularization of migration/migrants?

YouTube video by Melissa Siegel

Melissa Siegel @melissasiegel.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

When displacement stretches on for years or even decades, what does life look like? I unpack what protracted refugee situations are, who they affect and why they persist with lessons from around the world. @umsbe.bsky.social @maastrichtu.bsky.social @unumerit.bsky.social youtu.be/M1ar1FX4Eso?...

What is a Protracted Refugee Situation?

YouTube video by Melissa Siegel

Melissa Siegel @melissasiegel.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

🎥This quick explainer video breaks down the key stats: who lives in the US, where they come from, and what’s really happening with asylum, visas, and border encounters. @umsbe.bsky.social @maastrichtu.bsky.social @unumerit.bsky.social youtu.be/mDqKprZp2dI?...

Frequently Requested United States Migration Statistics 2026

YouTube video by Melissa Siegel

Melissa Siegel @melissasiegel.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

Happy to share a new open access book chapter that has jsut been published that I wrote together with Giulia Mori for the book Ruyssen, I., Scheerens, C., Fransen, S., Oakes, R. (eds) The Climate, Migration and Health Nexus. link.springer.com/chapter/10.1...

link.springer.com

Understanding the Links Between Migration, Climate Change and Health

This chapter explores the interconnections between migration, health, and climate change. Through a comprehensive literature review, it reveals the complex relationships among these three phenomena an...

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Melissa Siegel @melissasiegel.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

In this new video, I discuss the concept of #braingain in #migration studies, an often overlooked idea that focuses on the skills gain migration can bring to both #origin and #destination countries. @unumerit.bsky.social @maastrichtu.bsky.social @umsbe.bsky.social youtu.be/7anPMaP6gLs

What is "Brain Gain"?

YouTube video by Melissa Siegel

Melissa Siegel @melissasiegel.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

In this video, I discuss the concept of #brainwaste and why #migrants tend to be the most affected by it. So, how can it be solved from both #policy and #program perspective? Click on the link below! @umsbe.bsky.social @maastrichtu.bsky.social @unumerit.bsky.social youtu.be/7N3lQy7D-v4

What is Brain Waste? And how can it be reduced?

YouTube video by Melissa Siegel

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Melissa Siegel @melissasiegel.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

New work #travelvlog is out where I travel to Tanzania with @unumerit.bsky.social @maastrichtu.bsky.social @umsbe.bsky.social colleagues !We trained East and West African officals, with time for a little hiking and culture along the way! youtu.be/ULE_I7miIbE?...

Come with me to Tanzania: Join me on my work trip! Migration Professor work trip

YouTube video by Melissa Siegel

Melissa Siegel @melissasiegel.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Here, I go back to the basics and walk us through some definitions in #migration - how they are used and how their meanings differ in different contexts. @maastrichtu.bsky.social @maastrichtu.bsky.social @umsbe.bsky.social youtu.be/ubeZk7deuYc?...

Migrant Definitions: How do we define who a migrant is?

YouTube video by Melissa Siegel

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Melissa Siegel @melissasiegel.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

📢 Migration is somthing we see in the media everyday but the #media can portral #migrants and #migration in different ways using different frames. This is a product of the environment they are working in and can affect public opinion and public policy.📽️ @unumerit.bsky.social youtu.be/zd0iBpb-7ys

Migration and the Media

YouTube video by Melissa Siegel

Melissa Siegel @melissasiegel.bsky.social · 17/11/2025

🚀 NEW POST 🚀 In this new video, I tackle the long running problems and pitfalls in the US immigration sysmtem. @unumerit.bsky.social @maastrichtu.bsky.social @umsbe.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHB0...

The Broken US Immigration System

YouTube video by Melissa Siegel

Melissa Siegel @melissasiegel.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Back by popular demand, this new vlog is out! This time with a little twist, as I take you on a trip with me to Georgia. @umsbe.bsky.social @maastrichtu.bsky.social @unumerit.bsky.social youtu.be/Hk76_AcMaOo

Vlog: Come with me to Georgia: A week in the life of a Uni Professor

YouTube video by Melissa Siegel

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Melissa Siegel @melissasiegel.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

📢 We hear a lot about #migration and #migrants, but little about the different types of migrants and migration. I discuss an often forgotten group - #IDPs (internally displaced persons), who IDPs are, how they are different from #refugees & specific challenges they face. youtu.be/ccRmcNYSCP8?...

What are IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) and Why are There More Today?

YouTube video by Melissa Siegel

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Melissa Siegel @melissasiegel.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

📢 In the current global political climate, development aid and its merits have been widely debated. But what exactly is development aid, how is it being used? And what is the future? 📽️ @umsbe.bsky.social @unumerit.bsky.social @maastrichtu.bsky.social youtu.be/mGtOgRT9_EM?...

What is happening with Development Aid?

YouTube video by Melissa Siegel

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Melissa Siegel @melissasiegel.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

#Passports have grown in tandem with global inequalities, opening some doors while shutting others. I explore how #passports and #citizenship shape our #mobility: who can move freely, and who can’t. @maastrichtu.bsky.social @umsbe.bsky.social @unumerit.bsky.social youtu.be/8TycDMEYoGg

The Power of Passports

YouTube video by Melissa Siegel

Melissa Siegel @melissasiegel.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

Today, I had the opportunity to talk about the unprecedented #deportation crisis of #Afghans from Iran on TRT World and @The_Newsmakers. You can see the full episode here: youtu.be/bXzoaLbNVgg?... @unumerit.bsky.social @maastrichtu.bsky.social @umsbe.bsky.social

Iran's silent purge: Why a million Afghans are being expelled

YouTube video by The Newsmakers

Melissa Siegel @melissasiegel.bsky.social · 21/07/2025

🎉 I'm excited to share that our new paper (with Tobi Hillenbran, Bruno Martorano, and Laura Metzger) "Humanitarian concerns and threat perceptions: An analysis of the key drivers of refugee attitudes in Germany" has been published in Migration Studies! academic.oup.com/migration/ar...

academic.oup.com

Humanitarian concerns and threat perceptions: An analysis of the key drivers of refugee attitudes in Germany

Abstract. Public perceptions of humanitarian migration are shaped by conflicting sentiments, balancing perceived threats against humanitarian responsibilit

Melissa Siegel @melissasiegel.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

🎥For this week's video, I decided to do something a little different, vlog style. Here I talk a bit about my work and take you on a work trip with me to Armenia. Let me know if you like this kind of content. youtu.be/i1TPNEEc5Zs

Vlog: A Week in the Life of University Professor: Summer School in Armenia

YouTube video by Melissa Siegel

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Melissa Siegel @melissasiegel.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

#Migration policies often claim to be neutral, but neutrality can reinforce existing #inequalities. This video explains how migration policies can move from harmful to transformative. @unumerit.bsky.social @maastrichtu.bsky.social @umsbe.bsky.social youtu.be/i4qTT-XEdGU

Gender Responsive Migration Policies

YouTube video by Melissa Siegel

Melissa Siegel @melissasiegel.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

📣 How can people who return to their country after migrating reintegrate successfully? In my latest video, I explain the concept of sustainable #return for #migrants into their home countries. @umsbe.bsky.social @unumerit.bsky.social @umsbe.bsky.social Check out! 🔗 www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jjp...

What is Sustainable Return Migration?

YouTube video by Melissa Siegel

Melissa Siegel @melissasiegel.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

📣If you don't know the difference between #migration, #Immigration and #emigration, this video is for you! youtu.be/nAfJtf0jTmY

Difference Between Migration, Immigration and Emigration

YouTube video by Melissa Siegel

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Melissa Siegel @melissasiegel.bsky.social · 29/04/2025

Ever wondered if simply sharing neutral facts about refugees could unintentionally shape attitudes? Tobias Hillenbrand, Bruno Martorano, and myself explores exactly this in: "Not as innocent as it seems? The effects of 'neutral' messaging on refugee attitudes." 🔗 unu-merit.nl/publications...

UNU-MERIT staff » Publications

Melissa Siegel @melissasiegel.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

📣 Migration as a weapon? Here, I break down how migration flows can be strategically manipulated as leverage—whether to destabilize neighbors, gain political concessions, or control territory. #migration @unumerit.bsky.social @maastrichtu.bsky.social @umsbe.bsky.social youtu.be/jcXLTd4DlPk

What is the Weaponization of Migration?

YouTube video by Melissa Siegel

Melissa Siegel @melissasiegel.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

🌍What are 'Safe Third Countries'? It's a crucial but controversial topic in #asylum and #refugee policies.🎥This video dives into the complexities and criticisms surrounding this idea, and how it affects people seeking safety worldwide.🌏@unumerit.bsky.social @umsbe.bsky.social youtu.be/pFIxRqR3X4g

What are "Safe Third Countries" in Migration Policy?

YouTube video by Melissa Siegel

Melissa Siegel @melissasiegel.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

🗣🎬What is the key to issuing a successful Diaspora Bond?💵 Find out in this new video where I discuss this as well as examples of successes and failures. #diaspora #diasporabonds #migration #development @unumerit.bsky.social @maastrichtu.bsky.social @umsbe.bsky.social youtu.be/rnRu1QiLYDU

Diaspora Bonds: What Makes Them Successful

YouTube video by Melissa Siegel

Melissa Siegel @melissasiegel.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

For over a decade, the Migration Management Diploma Program (MMDP) @unumerit.bsky.social has trained #migration professionals with the knowledge, skills, and networks to navigate complex policy challenges. In this blog we reflect on the program driving meaningful change. 📄 go.unu.edu/ysQ54

MMDP 2025: A Journey in Migration Management Training

This post marks the beginning of a new blog series documenting the Migration Management Diploma Programme (MMDP) at UNU-MERIT.

Melissa Siegel @melissasiegel.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

📢 📽️ #displacement around the world continues to grow. For understanding how many people are currently displaced because of war, conflict and persecution as well as where they are coming from and where they are hosted check out this new video. #refugees #asylum #asylumseeker youtu.be/mCdxTufwGCA

How many refugees are there and where are they hosted? Forced Migration Update

YouTube video by Melissa Siegel

Melissa Siegel @melissasiegel.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

📽️Pushbacks at Borders—What Are They, and Why Are They So Controversial? I explain the concept of pushbacks, highlights their legal and humanitarian implications, and discusses how they are being used worldwide. youtu.be/MUM-4KGvKGs @unumerit.bsky.social @maastrichtu.bsky.social @umsbe.bsky.social

What are Pushbacks (During Migration)?

YouTube video by Melissa Siegel