Santa Barone-Upeniece: Saltups Fellowship Report

AABS is pleased to recognize Santa Barone-Upeniece for her completion of the 2024–2025 Mudīte I. Zīlīte Saltups Fellowship, a short-term study or research grant for up to eight weeks of study in the United States with a maximum stipend of $10,000. Barone-Upeniece used the Saltups Fellowship to travel to Georgetown University in the United States and conduct research for her dissertation on migration. Her review of her experience is available below, lightly edited by AABS.

Santa Barone-Upeniece is a doctoral student in the Economics and Business program at the University of Latvia. She studies the impact of refugees, including those from Ukraine, on Latvia’s regional economy and labour market. Barone-Upeniece also explores the dynamics of integration in Latvia, examining how different local factors impact the experiences of Ukrainian and other third-country migrants. Her background in consulting and public administration informs her multidisciplinary, policy-relevant approach.

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Migration in Regional Economic Contexts

Saltups Fellowship Report from Santa Barone-Upeniece

The Saltups Fellowship granted me the invaluable opportunity to immerse myself as a visiting researcher at Georgetown University’s Institute for the Study of International Migration (ISIM) in Washington, D.C. for an intellectually stimulating seven-week period. During this time, I conducted research for my dissertation on the Dual Nature of Migration in Regional Economic contexts, which examines the impact of refugees, including those from Ukraine, on Latvia’s regional economy and labour market. As a doctoral student in the Economics and Business program at the University of Latvia, I also explore the dynamics of integration in Latvia, examining how different local factors impact the experiences of Ukrainian and other third-country migrants. This transformative fellowship experience significantly shaped my dissertation direction and refined my research questions under the exceptional mentorship of renowned migration scholars.

Under the expert guidance of Professor Elizabeth Ferris, whose renowned work in forced migration and humanitarian policy provided profound insights into my research framework, I was able to bring greater precision and theoretical depth to my dissertation focus. I’m equally grateful for the guidance provided by Professor Amanda Pinheiro, Professor Katharine M. Donato, and Professor Christi Smith, whose insights have been instrumental in directing my research trajectory on the economic dimensions of migration and immigrant inclusion.

My time at ISIM allowed me to gain a deeper understanding of the United States’ experience in the inclusion of immigrants into society, fulfilling a key objective of my Saltups Fellowship. The opportunity to attend thought-provoking lectures combined deep academic knowledge with genuine passion for the subject matter, while participating in ISIM-organized meetings with migration professionals provided practical insights that complement my theoretical research and background in consulting and public administration. These interactions helped me develop a multidisciplinary, policy-relevant approach to studying how researchers examine migration across different regions and borders, showing me the importance of looking at both local and international factors when examining migrant experiences and their economic implications.

I was particularly impressed by these scholars’ exceptional work ethic, openness to new ideas, and generosity with their time—qualities that significantly enhance their already notable academic contributions. Their mentorship exemplified the collaborative spirit of academic research and demonstrated how knowledge sharing can advance our collective understanding of complex migration issues, including the bidirectional relationship between migration and economic development that is central to my dissertation.

My time at ISIM was enriched by participation in cutting-edge courses that expanded my conceptual understanding of migration studies and immigrant inclusion. Particularly impactful was the upper-division interdisciplinary course “Immigrants, Refugees & the State,” which examined the complex dynamics between migrants, refugees, and state institutions in shaping contemporary global migration patterns and outcomes. Through critical analysis and interactive engagement with course materials, I gained deeper insight into global mobility trends while revisiting and challenging foundational migration theories that inform my work on refugees’ impact on Latvia’s regional economy and labor market.

Of particular value was the course’s integration of perspectives from activist-scholars, policymakers, community leaders, and experts from local and international organizations who have been instrumental in shaping global migration discourse and practice. These diverse viewpoints have encouraged me to consider multiple stakeholder perspectives in my own research approach to economic migration dynamics and integration.

Another transformative educational opportunity was my participation in the “Environmental Displacement and Migration” course, which has become increasingly relevant to my dissertation given the growing impact of climate change on population movements and regional economic systems. This course developed my understanding of the complex relationship between physical environmental phenomena and socio-economic-political factors as drivers of displacement and migration.

The multidisciplinary approach to environmental migration exposed me to varied methodological frameworks and institutional perspectives, from both U.S. and international vantage points. This comprehensive examination of climate change impacts on human mobility culminated in an in-depth analysis of one country’s experience with environmentally-induced displacement and migration, providing me with a model for case study development in my own research on economic migration dynamics in Latvia.

Beyond formal coursework, ISIM offered exceptional professional development through organized meetings with migration professionals from governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, and international institutions. These interactions provided practical insights that complemented my theoretical research on refugees’ impact on Latvia’s regional economy and helped me understand how researchers approach migration studies across different regional contexts and international borders.

The emphasis on both local and transnational factors in examining migrant experiences has influenced my methodological approach, encouraging me to develop a more holistic analytical framework that considers multiple scales of economic influence. The opportunity to engage with ISIM’s vibrant research community introduced me to innovative methodological approaches and theoretical frameworks that I have begun integrating into my own research design, fulfilling my goal of developing innovative methods that can contribute meaningfully to societal and economic spheres in Latvia.

In conclusion, I want to express my sincere gratitude for this opportunity made possible through the 2024-2025 Mudīte I. Zīlīte Saltups Fellowship from the Association for the AABS. This experience has not only provided me with the resources and connections needed to advance my academic work but has also opened new paths for future research collaborations. I strongly encourage fellow researchers and academics to explore similar grant opportunities that can broaden professional horizons and academic perspectives