ERC Starting Grant: The shadow of migrants’ social networks: Towards a new theory of how social networks can increase migrants’ economic vulnerability

SHADOW develops a new sociological theoretical framework, studying how social networks impact migrants’ economic vulnerability by creating social welfare deficits. In sociology, social networks have been assumed to improve migrants’ economic position by providing financial, informational, and instrumental support. Yet, evidence from other disciplines shows that they can also be harmful by serving as gatekeepers to labour markets or by providing misinformation. SHADOW addresses this gap in sociological understanding.

SHADOW integrates theories from sociology, social psychology, and political science, introducing a novel multi-level, multi-group theory about why and how social networks can increase migrants’ economic vulnerability. First, it will use administrative data to identify and map the networks linked to migrants’ economic vulnerability. Second, it will examine how social networks increase vulnerability, testing a new theory of social welfare deficits - liabilities and constraints imposed by social networks- like pressure, misinformation, or stigma. Third, it will study migrants’ reactions to these social welfare deficits, such as distancing from harmful networks. Last, it will look at how welfare states impact these deficits and migrants’ economic vulnerability. SHADOW will compare four migrant groups residing in Europe with vastly different migration backgrounds and network structures.

SHADOW will use a mixed-method approach, including administrative, survey, qualitative, and experimental data. It will advance the field of migration studies and generate a breakthrough in the sociological approach to social capital by including its negative impacts. SHADOW will also help policy-makers and stakeholders to design better policy interventions targeted at improving migrants’ economic position in Europe.