The consequences of forced migrations are felt globally and are faced by millions of people each year. A critical question is how these refugees adjust to their new environments and eventually integrate into the host population. A number of factors can influence the ultimate assimilation of migrant populations and these are frequently related to the characteristics of the migrants (for example, demographic variables and socio-economic background), flight (for example, cause of flight), host country or region (for example, natural resources) and the resettlement policies of host populations. One way to measure the successful settlement and assimilation of displaced populations is to look at the number of times an individual relocates after their initial arrival in a host country and to analyse which factors affect these moves. In general, the more individuals move, the less likely they are to integrate.

Read more:
Danielsbacka M, Aho L, Lynch R, Pettay J, Lummaa V, Loehr J. 2020: The Resettlement and Subsequent Assimilation of Evacuees from Finnish Karelia during and after the Second World War. Digital Histories: Emergent Approaches within the New Digital History, 129. Fridlund M, Oiva M, Paju P (eds.)
 

Other News

The research group spent three intense days having a brilliant Project Meeting in Tampere, Finland in August 2016. The venue was the most beautiful place by the lake, surrounded by the pristine Finnish nature. A perfect venue for the best conference ever! Special thanks to our hosts Jenni and Esko.
Photos from the Project Meeting in Kesämaa, Finland, August 2016. Photos by Esko Pettay / Wild TechPhotos Oy.

Virpi Lummaa's Group: Project meeting in Finland, August 2016. Photo by Esko Pettay

Virpi Lummaa is an outstanding evolutionary biologist and her work has led to significant advances in our understanding of the ecological causes and evolutionary consequences of variation in reproductive success and longevity. Her research on humans, based on detailed pedigrees, and birth and death records, revealed the selection pressures shaping life history in pre-industrial populations, and in so doing allowed for the first rigorous, scientific examination of human behavioural ecology. These findings have revealed the complex trade-offs shaping recent human evolution.
The Scientific Medal, Britain's zoological Oscar, is awarded to scientists with up to 15 years postdoctoral experience for distinguished work in zoology.

Virpi Lummaa Scientific Medal 2016 Zoological Society of London