Migration Policy Scotland is looking for partners for work building resilience to extremism in Scotland. We need to build a broad coalition to counter the potential for racist, Islamophobic and anti-migrant violence we have experienced recently.

Our representative survey of attitudes to immigration in Scotland includes data that highlights points of concern regarding the fragility of support for immigration in Scotland and an urgency to build more and stronger social connections that this work could draw on. We have found, for example, a significant increase since 2023 in the proportion of people favouring a reduction in immigration levels (increasing by 14 percentage points from 28% to 42%) and high levels of concern that immigration could lead to social conflict in Scotland (46%) as well as very low levels of social contact with migrants as friends, neighbours or even in casual daily interactions.

Our data also shows areas of strength that we can build on. These include: 50% taking a positive view on the impact of immigration in Scotland, particularly in filling jobs, enriching cultural life and meeting population needs (69%, 55% and 54% agree). Majority support for welcoming programmes (55%). And, widespread support for recruitment of workers from abroad – including 79% in the case of sectors with critical shortages, 78% for seasonal and temporary work and 61% for vacancies generally.

We urgently want to analyse the data we have further, to do follow up work that can dig beneath attitudes to understand what is driving them and what might change them.

We are looking for partners who can help us take that knowledge forward. We want to work with communities, media and political actors to change minds and change the debate.

Can you help us do that? Get in touch to explore how we can work together

MPS survey exploring attitudes and experiences of migration across Scotland is a central feature in our aim to provide insight infrastructure which can support wider work (our own and that of others) on migration in Scotland. More detailed understanding of what people across Scotland think and how views and experiences differ between social groups and in different parts of Scotland will help inform policy choices and debates. 

In Jan 2023 we commissioned the first representative survey of attitudes to immigration in the country for nearly a decade.  Read the report of our findings here. 

The second round of the survey took place in January 2024. Read our report here

Increased understanding of migrant experiences and support for new, imaginative and effective ways to confront challenges and inequalities are central to MPS work.  

This two-year project (2023 – 2025) aims to enhance strategic policy thinking on effective interventions to reduce financial disadvantage for low-to-middle income migrant households.

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MPS is working with migrants who work on migration issues across Scotland. Our Migrant Lived Experience Panel is at the core of our community of practice and plays a central role in our work. Together we are developing a new approach to policy research and influencing that integrates migrants’ lived experience, going beyond a standard representative approach.

Find out more

Migration Policy Scotland offers paid internships to people from BAME backgrounds as part of our commitment to racial justice.  We aim to promote diversity in policymaking by giving those from BAME backgrounds accessible opportunities to begin and further careers in policy research and policy influencing.

Our “Diversity in Policymaking” Internship programme gives paid interns the chance to support the work of a specialist policy research and influencing organisation. Alongside our experienced staff, interns are supported to deliver on a range of tasks including: background research, events organising and report writing. 

We support learning and development throughout our internships through structured learning inputs and agreed development aims. 

Following on from the internship period at Migration Policy Scotland, interns can take up 2 follow-on mentoring sessions.  The mentoring sessions are with MPS Director, Sarah Kyambi, and aim to nuture potential and progression while provide sounding board for people from BAME backgrounds to discuss issues that can arise in the workplace. By talking through stumbling blocks and we develop strategies to support successful outcomes. 

Sign up to receive alerts on MPS internship opportunities. 

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In her own words: MPS first ‘Diversity in Policymaking’ intern, Hana, wrote this on her experience:

Reflecting on my internship at MPS has made me realise the number of opportunities I was afforded for personal and professional growth. The work was by no means just administrative, and I felt intellectually challenged by the different tasks I was set. In the two months that I was with MPS, I drafted a publication on specific migrant populations in Scotland, assisted with the preparation of three government-funded events, and developed MPS’ online brand and email system. I also had the chance to work in-person with the MPS team to deliver a panel event at the COSLA Conference Centre. 

Being part of a small but rapidly growing organisation like MPS gave me plenty of opportunities for both collaborative and independent working and I was able to obtain valuable feedback on the work I carried out.

During the internship:

• I gained deeper knowledge of immigration systems and in particular, how they relate to migration in Scotland.
• I learnt how to analyse and interpret data from the Office for National Statistics and the National Records of Scotland
• I honed my skills in relation to setting realistic goals and managing time effectively to get tasks done efficiently and for relevant deadlines.
• I developed skills in events planning and effective communication to ensure a smooth-running event.
• I sat in on weekly team meetings which enabled me to understand how the tasks I was set worked towards MPS’ long-term goals. Given that the internship is remote, it was hugely motivating to be able to see the ‘bigger picture’ and watch as our work came together.
• I had weekly one-to-one ‘Learning Inputs’ with the Director and Senior Researcher. These informal sessions were a valuable chance to discuss how the internship was going and learn from the experience of MPS’ team. Sessions that stand out include ‘Careers in Policy Work’ and ‘Advice on Postgraduate Courses’. As a recent graduate, the chance to discuss my future and seek advice was reassuring and made everything feel a bit less daunting. I really appreciated the time set aside for these sessions.

Without doubt, the highlight of this internship was the chance to work alongside Sarah and Becka. MPS is an organisation that ‘helps people think together and work together’ and this is reflected in the internal working environment they have created. From the very first day, I was welcomed into the team, and I felt valued and supported throughout the internship. I have immensely enjoyed my time at MPS and will take with me the skills and knowledge I have gained.

I would recommend anyone looking for an internship in migration/policy that is both challenging and rewarding to apply.

Listen to Hana talk about her experience at MPS

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Migration Policy Scotland offers internships on a rolling basis recruiting at different points in the year in relation to specific projects and outputs that involve work suitable for internships. Our paid internship opportunities are advertised and prospective interns are recruited through a structured application and interview process. We do our best to provide flexible internships (including part time) to broaden access.

Sign up to receive alerts on MPS internship opportunities

Migration Policy Scotland is developing work to support wider and more nuanced understanding of the relationship between migration and broader population concerns with particular focus on rural Scotland. We are interested in exploring ways to attract and retain rural populations and in linking policy issues and conversations to better understandings of diversity and inclusion in rural contexts.

We are currently working on a project exploring the role of migration in multi-level responses to rural depopulation with the support of an Insight Award from the Scottish Council on Global Affairs.  An online roundtable event on 1st September 2023  shared findings from the project and host a panel of international experts to discuss the benefits and challenges of multi-level initiatives and appropriate mechanisms for planning, implementing and evaluating policy interventions.

We are continuing to build partnerships and seeking further funding for this work. 

Past work:

Watch the recording of our online roundtable event on multi-level policy responses to rural depopulation.

Read a blog about the project and the roundtable event by MPS research assistant Hana Davis here.

Listen to MPS Senior Researcher Rebecca Kay discuss migration’s role in facing Scotland’s population challenges on Good Morning Scotland, 1 September 2022.

You can also read her blog on an MPS event in 2022: Rural Lives: Retaining diverse populations here (includes event recording and materials).

A key focus for Migration Policy Scotland is understanding the impacts of the new immigration system on the Scottish economy. What are the impacts on business in Scotland. What are the options for mitigating negative effects. 

Kicking off with a successful event that brought together representatives from business and with experts on labour markets and migration policy in June 2022, we are now seeking funding for further work.

Migration Policy Scotland is monitoring the UK’s new immigration system. Our analysis, commentary and events contribute to understanding how the system is working. Our work on the UK labour migration system and its impacts in Scotland brings together business representatives with government at local, Scottish and UK levels.