Handbook on Migration in Small Towns and Rural Areas

This multidisciplinary Handbook examines intra and international migration in small towns and rural areas. Leading scholars outline the causes, processes, and consequences of migration beyond metropolitan hubs and large cities, presenting cutting-edge theoretical analysis and empirical research.

Experts adopt an interpretive approach to contextualise migration within social, economic and political transformations of small towns and rural regions. They assess case studies to reflect on the perspectives of local societies through their responses to migration-based challenges. Chapters demonstrate how different contexts uniquely shape global forces and emphasise the active role of both native and newcomer populations in influencing the future of their communities, despite facing numerous constraints. The Handbook also highlights the methodological challenges of studying migration in small towns and rural areas and considers future directions for research.

Scholars and students of migration studies, sociology, geography, politics and public policy will greatly benefit from the novel insights explored in this Handbook. It is also an essential resource for academics in urban and regional studies, anthropology, and political science.