PhD Project: Reena Tadee (IfGR, University of Vienna)

Duration: 2021 – 2024

Funding: Ernst Mach Grant ASEA-UNINET

Abstract

Despite being quite a large group of populations as South Korea has been among the top five destinations for Thai migrant workers during the past decade since the introduction of the Employment Permit System (EPS), Thai migrant workers in South Korea are under-studied group of populations due to their hard-to-reach nature.  The study focuses on how migration decision, process, and experiences at the destination are shaped with the rise of ICT and social media.

The purpose of this study is to better understand the effect and mechanisms of social media use on migration decision making, migration process, and the situation of migrants at the place of destination. It also aims to understand the effects of these changed networks and social capital on migration decision making, migration routes (documented / undocumented), and migrant situation.

The study uses mixed method social network analysis, aspiration and abilities model, and translocality concept for the analysis based on multi-sited ethnographic fieldwork in Thailand and South Korea as well as observation on social media.