Mathieu Ichou

Mathieu Ichou is a Researcher at the National Institute of Demographic Studies (INED), where he co-leads the International Migration and Minorities (MIM) research unit and is a member of the Economic Demography unit. He also holds affiliations as an associate researcher at the Centre for Research on Social Inequalities (CRIS) at Sciences Po and as a fellow at ICMigrations. His work focuses on the intersection of migration, education, and social inequality, supported by robust methodological training in both quantitative and qualitative research.

• Institution: National Institute of Demographic Studies (INED)
• Research Units: International Migration and Minorities (MIM), Economic Demography
• External Affiliations: CRIS (Sciences Po), ICMigrations
• Key Projects: ANR 3GEN (social mobility over three generations), TeO2 Survey (Trajectories and Origins)

Ichou’s research centers on the sociology of immigration, educational inequalities, and social stratification. He investigates how migration background, social origin, and educational systems shape life outcomes, particularly among children of immigrants in France. His work often employs comparative and longitudinal designs, analyzing large-scale survey data to uncover patterns of integration and inequality. He also contributes to methodological advancements in social science research, especially in mixed-method approaches.

The 15 most recent publications highlight a consistent focus on immigrant integration, educational selectivity, health disparities, and intergenerational mobility. His work spans top journals in demography, sociology, and education, reflecting interdisciplinary rigor. Themes include the healthy immigrant effect, status loss among highly educated migrants, and structural barriers in education and healthcare. His research combines empirical depth with policy relevance, contributing to debates on equity and inclusion.

Notable scientific contributions include:

• Coordination of the ANR 3GEN project on intergenerational social mobility
• Co-responsibility for the TeO2 survey on migration and origin trajectories
• Authorship of influential publications on immigrant children’s education and health
• Contributions to UNESCO and Cnesco policy reports

Ichou advises and contributes to major research initiatives, though no formal PhD students are listed. He collaborates widely across institutions and disciplines, demonstrating a strong network in demographic and social research. He leads research teams and contributes to national and international policy discussions, particularly on migration and education. His work is supported by competitive grants, including funding from the French National Research Agency (ANR).

He is actively involved in research infrastructure, contributing to large-scale surveys and data collection efforts such as the TeO2 and DiPAS surveys. These projects provide foundational data for studying migration and inequality in France, supporting both his own research and the broader academic community.