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New study reveals the hidden impact Brexit had on EU families who left the UK

New research unveils the Brexit aftershocks still being felt in the lives of EU families who left the UK following the referendum.

15 September 2023•4 min read
A mother, young daughter and father walking away.

Photo by Caleb Oquendo.

New research conducted by the University of Birmingham unveils the Brexit aftershocks still being felt in the lives of EU families who left the UK following the 2016 EU referendum.

Based on in-depth qualitative research involving 37 migrant families, the study delves into the intricate dynamics of post-Brexit EU emigration through the eyes of those who said goodbye to Britain.

The study is authored by Professor Nando Sigona and Dr Marie Godin and published in the prestigious academic journal The Sociological Review. The authors unveil the social hopes, migratory trajectories, motivations, and decision-making processes of EU families who experienced post-Brexit emigration in the context of turbulent diplomatic relations between the UK and the EU, revealing the myriad challenges these families faced.

Brexit was a seismic event, and its aftershocks are still being felt in the lives of EU families. Our research underscores the importance of understanding how political decisions reverberate within households, shaping the futures of individuals and families alike.

Professor Nando Sigona, University of Birmingham

The experiences of the families involved in the study offer unique insight into how major political changes impact the everyday lives of people in Britain. Professor Nando Sigona, principal investigator of the Eurochildren study, says:

"Brexit was a seismic event, and its aftershocks are still being felt in the lives of EU families. Our research underscores the importance of understanding how political decisions reverberate within households, shaping the futures of individuals and families alike."

Our study delves deep into the untold stories of EU families who decided to leave the UK post-Brexit. It's a complex web of hopes, challenges, and sacrifices that goes far beyond headlines and statistics.

Dr Marie Godin, University of Oxford

It also gives voice to a population whose voice was hardly heard in the public conversation on Brexit. Dr Marie Godin explains:

"Our study delves deep into the untold stories of EU families who decided to leave the UK post-Brexit. It's a complex web of hopes, challenges, and sacrifices that goes far beyond headlines and statistics."

The research dispels conventional notions of 'going home' and highlights the intricate intergenerational tensions, challenges, and accommodations that the act of 'returning' engenders. It reveals the diverse ways in which different family members are affected, and in some cases, how it can lead to the fragmentation or dissolution of the family unit, showing the profound and enduring impact of the volatile political context that followed the Brexit referendum on EU citizens living in the UK.

This research considers the complex dynamics of decision-making within migrant families. Some families returned to their country of birth, while others settled in entirely new countries, revealing the wide spectrum of challenges they had to overcome when deciding to leave.

Exit trajectories, the research shows, were far from linear, often requiring numerous adjustments. This fluidity led to situations of 'involuntarily transnationalism,' where some felt compelled to stay, while others felt they had no choice but to leave. The family unit played a crucial role in shaping these trajectories, resulting in diverse outcomes even within a single family.

Notes for editors

Featured staff

  • Professor Nando Sigona

    Chair of International Migration and Forced Displacement

    Professor Nando Sigona is a sociologist with research and teaching experience in migration, refugee and ethnic studies. He is also the Director of the Institute for Research into Superdiversity (IRiS).

    Phone: +44(0)121 415 8030
    Email: n.sigona@bham.ac.uk

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