STSM research: political discourse on migration issues in Lithuania

Dr. Alessandro Indelicato, a Research Fellow at both the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Spain) and the University of Eastern Finland (Finland), recently conducted a Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) at Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas (Lithuania) from September 30 to October 6. This visit was supported by a STSM grant from the COST Action COREnet initiative.

During his stay in Kaunas, Dr. Indelicato and his host, Prof. Milda Ališauskienė, collected extensive data on the main political parties competing in the upcoming Lithuanian Parliamentary elections, focusing on their positions regarding migration, and the connection of this topic with others, such as religion, nationalist discourse and cultural defence. They also investigated the influence of socioeconomic factors and religious diversity on attitudes toward different religious groups in Lithuania.

The analysis involved a detailed examination of political manifestos using Python-based text analysis tools. Additionally, they utilized advanced methodologies, such as Fuzzy-Hybrid TOPSIS and econometric models like Probit, to explore attitudes toward religious diversity.

Currently, Dr. Indelicato and Prof. Ališauskienė are preparing two research papers, targeting submission to high-impact academic journals, which aim to disseminate the insights gained from this STSM. The methodologies developed in this study will also be applied in other EU countries. Thus, researchers from COREnet are invited to collaborate on this expanded research scope. Those interested in contributing are encouraged to contact Dr. Alessandro Indelicato at alessandro.indelicato[eta]ulpgc.es.

In the photo: Dr. Alessandro Indelicato with Prof. Milda Ališauskienė from Vytautas Magnus University

What is a Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) within COREnet?

A Short-Term Scientific Mission, funded by the COST Action COREnet, consists of a visit to a host organization located in a different country to the country of affiliation of a Researcher in order to carry out specific work as part of a research project. In addition to research purposes, Short Term Scientific Missions (STSMs) are aimed to support researchers’ individual mobility, to strengthen existing networks and to foster collaboration between individuals. The purpose of a STSM is thus to gain new partnerships, to learn new techniques and to gain access to specific data, instruments and/or methods not available in their own institutions/organizations.