“Research involving human beings – research that directly impacts human lives – should never be taken for granted.”
Every year, approximately 45,000 migrants go missing globally, with up to 15,000 dying in the Mediterranean Sea alone. For every body recovered, two others are never found, leaving thousands of families without answers, unable to grieve, and trapped in devastating uncertainty. Dr. Nwibo’s works to transform this invisible crisis. His work is ground-breaking within an underexplored, yet crucial area. His PhD was the first doctoral study on missing migrants in the UK.
Missing Migrants in the UK.
Despite being one of the world’s most advanced legal jurisdictions, the UK has no specific policy framework for missing migrants, instead relying on standard immigration laws and missing person procedures that simply aren’t fit for purpose to combat this transnational crisis.
My research adopts a “transnational law perspective,” to recognise that when migrants die crossing multiple jurisdictions, no single state can solve the problem alone. I’m developing a “theory of transnational effectiveness” that examines how different policy approaches can take preventative action to better protect migrants as well as how we can globally support families of those who have gone missing or lost their lives.
Creating Real Solutions
In the same way I have taken a transnational approach to this problem I have needed to take an interdisciplinary approach. Working with others across fields like international law, family psychology, political philosophy, and psychosocial science I have been able to develop comprehensive policy recommendations. My research involves global experts and organisations including the Netherlands Commission on Missing Persons, Germany’s Migration Data Analysis Centre, and the UN Special Rapporteur on Enforced Disappearances.
I am working to build practical frameworks that give families clear pathways to report missing relatives, provide guidance on contacting international authorities, address burial procedures for recovered bodies, and establish coordination mechanisms between governments and international organizations.
Long-term Impact
My research has spanned 15 years so far, with expanding elements at each stage. In the future I hope to explore how we can facilitate searches for missing persons using newer technologies. An example of this is social media where sometimes a photograph shared online can restart search processes and even locate people previously presumed dead.
The analysis of family testimonies reveals the profound psychological impact of ambiguous loss, where grief becomes frozen and families do not know where to find help and cannot move forward. I hope the change this with policy frameworks that will provide concrete support mechanisms, offering hope for closure and dignity to thousands of affected families.
Through rigorous research, international collaboration, and policy advocacy, this work transforms an invisible crisis into visible change, ensuring families aren’t forgotten when migration journeys end in tragedy.
Contribution to the UN 2030 sustainable development goals
UWE Bristol is proud to align our research to the UN sustainable development goals. The above research aligns with the following goals:
