Ankara Social Sciences University’s (ASBU) Sociology Department recently concluded an 8-week RStudio workshop, which took place from July 10 to August 28, 2024. The workshop, facilitated by Research Assistant Ozan Çetiner, involved three master's students—Burak Ayar, Ömer Tahir Öztürk, and Sümeyye Elif Herdem—analyzing global migration trends from 2015 to 2019 using OECD data.

Workshop Focus and Findings

The workshop aimed to provide a detailed analysis of migration patterns leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic. Using RStudio’s ggplot2 package, participants conducted comprehensive analyses on gross, inflow, and net migration flows, focusing on migration shifts between regions like Europe, North America, and the Middle East. The key findings reveal that migration has increasingly concentrated in economically developed countries, with North America and Europe being top destinations.

A Hands-On Learning Experience

Participants expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to engage in such a hands-on learning experience. The rigorous 8-week program allowed the students to enhance their research skills and develop a deeper understanding of migration trends through data analysis.

Future Implications

The findings from this study provide a critical foundation for understanding how migration patterns may have shifted further post-pandemic. The workshop highlighted the growing need for future research on the long-term effects of COVID-19 on global migration, which will help policymakers in shaping more effective migration strategies.

The full report, including the detailed findings, R codes, and visual data representations, can be accessed here.