The Migration Observatory
The Migration Observatory is a University of Oxford research unit that produces independent, data-driven briefings, commentaries, and press releases on UK migration and public policy for policy makers, journalists, academics, and the public.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersOxford, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Migration Observatory does
The Migration Observatory is an independent, non-profit research organization housed within COMPAS (Centre on Migration, Policy and Society) at the University of Oxford, headquartered at 58 Banbury Road, Oxford. It produces data-driven analysis, briefings, commentaries, reports, and press releases on UK and international migration and public policy, drawing on official sources such as the Home Office, the Office for National Statistics, and the Ministry of Justice. Its core products are freely distributed research publications (briefings on topics such as asylum, student migration, the fiscal impact of immigration, unauthorized migration, Hong Kong BNOs, and net migration flows), supplemented by commentary essays, press releases, in-depth projects, and an email newsletter. The team of approximately six staff is led by Director Dr Madeleine Sumption and includes senior researcher Dr Peter Walsh and researchers Dr Mihnea Cuibus, Dr Ben Brindle, and Dr Nuni Jorgensen, with Rob McNeil serving as the dedicated press contact.
The organization serves four primary audiences: policy makers and government (the primary segment), media and journalists, researchers and academics, and the general public. Distribution is entirely digital and free: publications are openly accessible via the website (migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk), promoted through email newsletters and social channels (Twitter @migobs, Facebook, Vimeo), and amplified through earned media in UK national press. The Observatory does not sell products or services and generates no commercial revenue.
The business model is non-commercial grant-funded. Revenue streams consist of institutional funding from the University of Oxford and COMPAS, multi-year grants from charitable foundations (Esmee Fairbairn, Barrow Cadbury Trust, Paul Hamlyn Foundation), and voluntary public donations via a dedicated donate page. No pricing model, paid tier, or commercial licensing exists; all research outputs are provided on an open-access basis. The organization holds no patents or trademarks, has no subsidiaries, and is not engaged in M&A or venture funding activity.
The Migration Observatory firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Migration Observatory
- Legal name
- The Migration Observatory
- Website
- https://migrationobservatory.ox.ac.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Migration Observatory is a University of Oxford research unit that produces independent, data-driven briefings, commentaries, and press releases on UK migration and public policy for policy makers, journalists, academics, and the public.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Migration Observatory industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Policy Research
- NAICS
- National Security and International Affairs (928)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Border Management & Humanitarian Border Assistance (BPADAHAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Migration, Refugees & Forced Displacement Assistance (BPADABAL), Migration, Refugees & Labor Mobility IGOs (BPADAAAH)
Keywords
Where The Migration Observatory is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oxford
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
The Migration Observatory business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Grants and Institutional Funding: The organization is supported by universities and foundations including the University of Oxford, COMPAS (Centre on Migration, Policy and Society), Esmee Fairbairn, Barrow Cadbury Trust, and Paul Hamlyn Foundation. These organizations provide financial support to fund the Observatory's research activities.
- Donations: The organization accepts donations from the public to support its research activities. The website includes a dedicated donate option.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
The Migration Observatory product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Migration Observatory is an independent academic research organization that produces and freely publishes data-driven analysis on UK and international migration and public policy. Its deliverables include briefings, commentaries, essays, press releases, and in-depth analytical projects on topics such as asylum, net migration, student migration, fiscal impacts of immigration, EU nationals in the UK, unauthorised migration, and Hong Kong BNOs. All outputs are distributed via its website and newsletter at no charge.
Product overview
The Migration Observatory is a research organization at the University of Oxford that informs debates on international migration and public policy. It operates as a single unified website offering multiple content formats: publications (including briefings, commentaries, and reports), press releases, project analyses, and a newsletter subscription service. The publications cover topics including asylum in the UK, student migration, fiscal impacts of immigration, Hong Kong BNOs, and unauthorized migration. The organization does not offer a software product or SaaS platform with modules—the core offering is research-based content and analysis published online.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Publications (Briefings, Commentaries, Reports)
Quantifiable outcome
- The organization has published comprehensive briefings on topics including net migration, asylum systems, student migration, fiscal impacts, and unauthorized migration in the UK
Companies that use The Migration Observatory
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Migration Observatory technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
The Migration Observatory partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- University of OxfordcoreThe Migration Observatory is part of the University of Oxford, specifically hosted at COMPAS. The organization benefits from the university's academic infrastructure, reputation, and resources.
- COMPAS (Centre on Migration, Policy and Society)coreThe Migration Observatory is housed within COMPAS at Oxford University, a research center focused on migration, policy, and society studies.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The Migration Observatory competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The Migration Observatory social profiles
Digital presenceThe Migration Observatory financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Migration Observatory leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
The Migration Observatory funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Migration Observatory M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The Migration Observatory
What does The Migration Observatory do?
The Migration Observatory is an independent academic research organization that produces and freely publishes data-driven analysis on UK and international migration and public policy. Its deliverables include briefings, commentaries, essays, press releases, and in-depth analytical projects on topics such as asylum, net migration, student migration, fiscal impacts of immigration, EU nationals in the UK, unauthorised migration, and Hong Kong BNOs. All outputs are distributed via its website and newsletter at no charge.
Is The Migration Observatory a public or private company?
The Migration Observatory is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Migration Observatory founded?
The Migration Observatory was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The Migration Observatory based?
The Migration Observatory is headquartered in Oxford, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does The Migration Observatory make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Grants and Institutional Funding is the primary driver. The others are donations.
Does The Migration Observatory have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Migration Observatory.
What industry is The Migration Observatory in?
The Migration Observatory's product category is Policy Research. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADAHAL, Border Management & Humanitarian Border Assistance, with a secondary code of BPADABAL, Migration, Refugees & Forced Displacement Assistance. Its NAICS code is 928.