Soziologie

Between September and December 2025, I had the opportunity to step outside my usual academic environment in Bielefeld and spend three months as a guest researcher at the Institute for Employment Research (IAB) in Nuremberg. Looking back, it was one of the most formative experiences of my PhD so far - professionally, because it opened the door to an entirely new dataset and research community, and personally, because it broadened my perspective on interdisciplinary collaboration.

Support from RTG 2951 for Interdisciplinary Cooperation

The research stay was made possible through the support of the Research Training Group (RTG) 2951, Cross-Border Labour Markets: Transnational Market Makers, Infrastructures, Institutions, where I have been a doctoral researcher since December 2024. Within the RTG's interdisciplinary environment, I pursue my doctoral research in Economics, examining how social capital, migration, and labor market institutions shape educational choices, migration decisions, and labor market outcomes.

As part of its interdisciplinary lecture series, RTG 2951 had previously invited Prof. Dr. Yuliya Kosyakova from the IAB as a guest lecturer and established her as one of the RTG's cooperation partners. This laid the foundation for an interdisciplinary collaboration between Sociology and Economics in the field of migration and labour market research. My research stay represented another important step in strengthening and expanding this cooperation.

Beyond providing a vibrant interdisciplinary environment for early-career researchers, RTG 2951 also provided the financial support that made this research stay possible.

A Spontaneous Yes

The story of how this research stay came about is, in many ways, my favorite part. Several months before it began, my supervisor, Prof. Dr. Anna Zaharieva, casually asked whether I would be interested in spending some time conducting research with the team of Prof. Dr. Yuliya Kosyakova at the IAB, I hardly needed a moment to think about it. My response was simply: "My bags are already packed." Looking back, that spontaneous answer turned out to be one of the best decisions of my PhD.

Breaking New Ground with the IMPa Data

One of the main reasons I was so excited about the stay was the opportunity to work with a dataset I had admired from afar: the International Mobility Panel of Migrants (IMPa), a survey conducted by the IAB. IMPa provides a unique and rich data source for studying the dynamics of international migration.

What made the experience particularly special was the opportunity to become the first external researcher granted access to the IMPa data. This came with a certain responsibility, but it also reflected the trust the INTER team placed in me. Their generosity in introducing me to the dataset, explaining its complexities, and helping me navigate it allowed me to get up to speed remarkably quickly.

From a Research Stay to a Lasting Collaboration

One of the most rewarding outcomes of my time at the IAB is that it did not end when the stay itself came to a close. During those three months, a new research idea emerged that has since developed into a joint project with sociologist Dr. Annette Jacoby from the IAB. In this project, we examine why some migrants leave Germany while others stay, focusing on how social capital and perceived discrimination influence emigration intentions.

To me, this illustrates one of the greatest benefits of a research stay: the value of a research stay isn't limited to the three months on site! It often continues to pay off long after you've packed your bags to go home. The conversations, ideas, and connections established during those months continue to shape my research long after returning home.

Feeling Part of the Team

Beyond the data and the research, what I will remember most is the atmosphere within INTER – the IAB's Department on Migration and International Labour Studies. From my very first day, I felt genuinely welcomed as part of the team. The academic exchange was both stimulating and supportive: colleagues took the time to discuss ideas, challenge assumptions, offer constructive feedback, and provide help whenever I encountered difficulties.

In addition to advancing my own project, I attended several seminars, workshops, and research presentations organized by the IAB and collaborating institutes. These events exposed me to current research, broadened my methodological knowledge, and inspired new ideas that will inform my future work.

This combination of intellectual curiosity, openness, and genuine collegiality created an environment in which interdisciplinary research could truly flourish. It is something I deeply appreciated and certainly do not take for granted.

Looking Ahead

Three months can feel both long and remarkably short. They are long enough to build meaningful collaborations, develop new research ideas, and make substantial progress, yet far too short to explore everything an institution like the IAB and its researchers have to offer

I returned to Bielefeld with access to an exciting new dataset, a collaborative paper underway, and a greatly expanded professional network. Even more importantly, I returned with fresh perspectives on interdisciplinary research and new ideas that will continue to shape my doctoral work.

My sincere thanks go to the entire INTER team for their warm welcome, inspiring discussions, and the sense of belonging I felt from my very first day. I am especially grateful to Prof. Dr. Anna Zaharieva for encouraging me to take this opportunity in the first place, without her encouragement, my bags might never have been packed. I also thank RTG 2951 for generously funding the research stay and everyone at the IAB who made these three months such a rewarding and unforgettable experience.