About The Project
Bridging the gap in longitudinal evidence on family migration and youth development.
Understanding Family Migration and Youth Development: FAMELO & FAMELO-FUN Studies
Guided by a life-course and family systems perspective, the FAMELO and FAMELO-FUN projects examine how internal and international family migration shape children’s socio-emotional development, educational pathways, and transitions to adulthood.
Together, these projects provide rare longitudinal evidence on how migration both supports families economically and creates new emotional and developmental challenges for children and adolescents.
Led by researchers from Arizona State University, the University of Michigan, Ohio State University, Penn State University, and UCLA — in collaboration with partners in Nepal, Mexico, and Mozambique — the projects follow children and their caregivers over time to understand how migration histories, family relationships, and external shocks influence young people’s lives.
Research Objective
To examine how family migration impacts children’s socio-emotional wellbeing, educational goals, and future plans, and to inform support programs and migration-sensitive policies.
Participant Focus
The studies collect data from children, families, and migrating parents. FAMELO tracked 5–17-year-olds, and FAMELO-FUN follows them through school completion, family formation, and migration decisions.
Comparative Study
FAMELO ran from a 2015–2016 pilot to Wave II (2022) in Nepal, Mexico, and Mozambique. FAMELO-FUN continues in Nepal, tracking six years of childhood and adolescent development.
Our Core Values
The principles that guide our research and commitment to understanding family dynamics.
Ethical Research
Maintaining the highest standards of data privacy and participant protection in all our longitudinal studies.
Scientific Excellence
Employing rigorous methodological approaches to provide reliable evidence for policy making.
Policy Impact
Bridging the gap between academic research and actionable insights for migration-sensitive policies.
Longitudinal Vision
As we continue to track the lives of young people in our study areas, our vision remains clear: to provide the evidence base needed to create supportive environments for families in transition. Our longitudinal approach allows us to see the long-term impacts of migration across different life stages.
2015-2016
Pilot Phase
Initial data collection in Nepal, Mexico, and Mozambique to test methodology.
2018-2019
Wave I
Comprehensive baseline data collection across all three country sites.
2022
Wave II
Follow-up study focusing on pandemic impacts and continued family migration.
2024-Present
FAMELO-FUN
Deepening the longitudinal tracking of children into adulthood in Nepal.