Thomas Swerts

Thomas Swerts is an Associate Professor in Urban Sociology at the Department of Public Administration and Sociology, Erasmus School of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Erasmus University Rotterdam. He joined EUR in 2018 after serving as a post-doctoral researcher and visiting professor at Universiteit Antwerpen, Université de Liège, and KU Leuven. He holds a PhD in Sociology from the University of Chicago.

His research focuses on the intersection of urban studies and migration studies, particularly the political activism of undocumented migrants. He employs ethnographic methods, participatory action research, and in-depth interviewing in his work. His current NWO Vidi project, URBIMM (2024–2029), investigates how local migration infrastructures in European cities facilitate the mobility of undocumented migrants. He also leads a transatlantic ethnographic study, 'Citizen X,' comparing undocumented youth activism in Chicago and Brussels.

The recent publications reflect a strong trend in migration governance, citizenship, and urban policy, with a focus on marginalized migrant populations. His work appears in leading journals such as Antipode, Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, and Politics and Governance.

Scientific Awards and Grants:

• NWO Vidi Grant (2024–2029) for URBIMM Project
• Grants from SSRC, NSF, and Mellon Foundation
• Grants from the Center for BOLD Cities

Advising and Grants: Thomas Swerts coordinates the Master Track 'Urban Issues and Policy' at EUR and is a member of the Educational Committee for Sociology. He has secured significant external funding for research on migration and urban governance, demonstrating strong grant-writing and research leadership capabilities.

Labs and Research Centers: He is an affiliated researcher at the LDE Center for Governance of Migration and Diversity and the LDE Center for BOLD Cities. He is also a member of the Team Policy, Politics and Society led by Prof. dr. Peter Scholten.