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Michael is a political geographer whose work explores the relationship between human mobility and state institutions

Recognising excellence in migration research    

Michael Collyer, Professor of Geography in the School of Global Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, has been appointed Senior Research Fellow (Migration) at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). 

This appointment recognises Michael’s extensive expertise in migration research and its policy impact, alongside his strong publication record, global networks, and widely recognised leadership in the field.

Shaping migration policy

In this role, Michael will work part-time over two years with the Geopolitics and Humanitarian Research Team in the Research and Evidence Directorate. His work will focus on strengthening the FCDO’s understanding of international migration through high-quality research, data analysis, and evidence synthesis.

He will analyse global migration patterns and drivers – including links to conflict, climate change, and economic development – while also assessing the effectiveness of policy responses.

Translating research into strategic advice for senior decision-makers, he will support the integration of evidence into migration policy and development programming across the FCDO.

Michael’s research and wider contributions

Michael is a political geographer whose work explores the relationship between human mobility and state institutions. His research focuses on the geopolitics of migration control, forced migration, refugee movement, internal displacement, and urban mobility.

As well as his academic work, he has undertaken research consultancies for UN bodies and national governments, and conducted fieldwork across the UK, Europe, Africa, and South Asia, bringing together academic insight and policy engagement.

At Sussex, Michael is the Head of the Department of Geography. The University is ranked number one in the world for Development Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026), and its Migration Studies research is also ranked first globally in the 2026 ScholarGPS institutional rankings, reflecting the impact of our academics’ work.

Geography contributes to this success through its teaching and research, including the delivery of Migration and Development courses. Outside his role as Head of Department, Michael enjoys teaching and leading international field trips for students.

Michael said: “I am very pleased to have been appointed Senior Research Fellow at the FCDO. The Office has always been important for the University – as a funder of some of our largest research projects and as an important target for impact work.

“This post is closely aligned with my research interests and will enable me to make further contributions to my field while getting a closer view of how research informs policy and how new research programmes are commissioned.”

About the FCDO

Formed in 2020 through the merger of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) and the Department for International Development (DFID), the FCDO is the UK government's ministry of foreign affairs. It leads the UK’s diplomatic, development and consular work worldwide, focusing on tackling international challenges and representing the nation’s interests.  

Michael’s appointment will support this work by strengthening the evidence base for incorporating migration into UK development programming.