This book derives from my doctoral thesis in migration studies while I was based at the Sussex Centre for Migration Research (SCMR) of the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom. While the SCMR environment, faculty and colleagues were key to the successful completion of my doctoral research, the merit for its publication as a book has to be IMISCOE’s. After completing my doctoral research I had turned to new projects, which meant increasingly limited time to contemplate a book publication. Applying for the Maria Ioannis Baganha Dissertation Award was just the fillip I needed.

The award is a wonderful way to commemorate the work of the late Professor Maria Baganha, one of the founders of IMISCOE and one of its key pillars until she sadly passed away in 2009. I did not know Maria personally, but my memory of the 2004 IMISCOE conference in Coimbra – where she taught – is quite vivid. I remember especially the great atmosphere, and how the conference brought the participants together in the spirit of cooperation, in a quest for more and better research, and which could make a difference in the way we and others, especially policymakers, understand migration processes in Europe. IMISCOE has come a long way since its inception and I am glad I have been one (albeit small) part of it. It is, therefore, a great honour to have been selected as the first winner of this prestigious award, especially as competition was extremely strong. I only hope that my work in this book and in the future will continue Maria's legacy in migration studies, as well as her dedication to putting migrants at the centre of the research agenda.

While the award was the main ‘push’ for the book, the successful completion of the research itself would have not been possible without the support of many people around me, whom I would like to briefly thank.

First of all, I am deeply grateful to my family – especially Olsi, Besim and Nigel – who generously supported me in various practical, financial and emotional ways throughout these years so that I was able to complete this difficult but worthwhile journey. A big thank you also goes to my friends and colleagues at Sussex and elsewhere for their friendship, care and inspiration.