Navigating risks, shaping mobilities: A Mixed-method study of migration aspirations among displaced people from Syria and Afghanistan in Turkey

This dissertation explores how risk-taking influences migration aspirations among displaced Syrians and Afghans in Turkey. While migrants are often portrayed as irresponsible for undertaking dangerous journeys, this research challenges such simplistic views by investigating the structural and individual factors that compel risk-taking. Drawing from the aspiration-capability framework and insights from risk studies, the dissertation examines how migrants interpret and deal with risks during their journeys, shaping their aspirations to move onward, stay, or return. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, including qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys, to provide a nuanced understanding of how risks are perceived and acted upon by migrants. Findings reveal that migration aspirations are influenced not only by migration policies but also by individual variations in personality, emotions, and subjective assessments of risks. This work contributes to migration studies by highlighting the complexity of migrants' decision-making processes, particularly how risk shapes their aspirations beyond rational-economic frameworks. Ultimately, the dissertation provides valuable insights into the intersection of migration policies and individual resilience, offering implications for policymakers seeking to understand and address the root causes of migration in contexts of displacement.