Draft:Brussels Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Migration and Minorities

Introduction
The Brussels Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Migration and Minorities (BIRMM) is a collaborative research network based at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), dedicated to advancing research on migration, minorities, and diversity. BIRMM brings together a diverse and dynamic group of over 100 researchers with expertise on migration and minorities research, and this from 11 different scientific disciplines, including political science, law, sociology, criminology, geography, medical sciences, communication sciences, linguistics, psychology, educational sciences, philosophy, and history.

The centre's primary objective is to facilitate impactful interdisciplinary research to better understand migration and minority-related phenomena. BIRMM researchers try to understand the causes, processes and consequences of migration, as well as the policies and laws governing it. Their research also focuses on the causes, processes and consequences related to the inclusion and exclusion of migrants and minorities. BIRMM is an institutional member of IMISCOE, the largest network of scholars and migration research institutes in Europe and beyond.

History
The centre was created in 2018 as a bottom-up initiative from engaged researchers and professors, and officially recognized as a 'VUB Interdisciplinary Centre of Expertise' in 2019. The project was endorsed by former VUB rector Caroline Pauwels, who actively supported interdisciplinary research cooperation within the university. BIRMM emerged as a testament to her commitment of "breaking down the walls between disciplines".

Structure and members
Since 2018, BIRMM has been led by co-directors Prof. Ilke Adam and Prof. Florian Trauner both affiliated with the Brussels School of Governance at VUB. The center involves over 100 researchers. It is guided by the BIRMM coordination team (directors and coordinator) and a board of delegates representing different VUB research centers and departments. This collaborative structure ensures strategic planning and decision-making for impactful research on migration and minorities.

Activities
BIRMM is committed to advancing interdisciplinary knowledge on migration and diversity and contributing to positive social change. It does so through its research and several types of societal impact activities (lecture series, panel debates, a newsletter, a podcast series and social media communication). The center also cooperates with migrants and minorities organizations and other relevant stakeholders.

Between 2019 and 2024, BIRMM encompassed a portfolio of over 250 research projects. These projects are financed by international and national funding sources like the European Research Council, the EU's Horizon 2020 programme, FWO, Innoviris, several national agencies and foundations.

Beyond research activities, BIRMM researchers are engaged in making their research available, understandable and accessible to the wider community. They appear in local, national and international media outlets to inform a public debate on issues such as integration policy, racism, asylum policy and EU partnership with global south countries. For example, BIRMM researchers regularly publish op-eds in Belgian and European media outlets     and they are often invited for interviews to share their expertise on topical debates related to migration and minorities.

In 2021, BIRMM published the book "Migration, Equality & Racism: 44 Opinions", featuring opinion pieces from over 80 VUB researchers. The book aims to inspire informed debates on migration, equality, and racism from diverse disciplinary perspectives. The book has received wide media coverage. Also in 2021, BIRMM launched a scientific podcast ‘Migration Talks’, inviting scholars and other professionals to present and discuss their research on migration, minorities and related topics in an easily understandable language.