Julia Stier

Dr. Julia Stier is a Researcher in the Migration, Integration, and Transnationalization department at the WZB Berlin Social Science Center. Her work focuses on West African migration dynamics, particularly examining how migration desires, communication technologies, and societal narratives shape transnational experiences. She employs qualitative and mixed-methods approaches to explore themes like agency, policy externalization, and postcolonial perspectives.

Stier's research investigates the interplay between migrant lived realities and perceptions held by communities in countries of origin, alongside the impact of EU migration policies in Africa. Her publications frequently analyze migration decision-making, pandemic-related stigma, and urban segregation through interdisciplinary lenses.

Recent articles reflect a strong emphasis on empirical fieldwork in Senegal and Gambia, methodological innovation in migration studies, and critical analyses of gender and youth experiences in transnational contexts.