MAGnituDE: New research on the human experience of displacement

We at HUG (Help Ukraine Gothenburg) are excited to announce the launch of a new research initiative MAGnituDE, that focuses on investigation of the social and political impacts of mass displacement triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

MAGnituDE (Migration, Affective Geopolitics, and European Democracy in Times of Military Conflicts) is funded by Horizon Europe and led by the University of Gothenburg, in collaboration with nine institutions across the continent — including Help Ukraine Gothenburg (HUG).

What is the project about

Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, nearly 6 million people have fled to European countries in search of safety.  Since then, entire communities have been reshaped. In some places, Ukrainian families and long-time residents are building stronger, more united neighborhoods. In others, rising tensions are fueling division and mistrust.

The MAGnituDe project is asking a crucial question:

How do ordinary people — both refugees and locals — actually experience living together during a crisis? And how do these experiences shape whether communities grow stronger or fall apart?

Based on the human-centered research

Led by Associate Professor Olga Sasunkevich at the University of Gothenburg, MAGnituDE works closely with communities to explore how shared spaces and unspoken emotions influence the experience of integration.

Instead of focusing only on policies or statistics, the project highlights the human side of integration — the emotions, relationships, and everyday moments that shape how people find belonging.

MAGnituDE uses a trauma-informed, sensory-based research approach to explore the impact of war-related trauma in an ethical and sensitive way, ensuring that the research process itself does not cause re-traumatisation to those who have experienced displacement or conflict.

Why the MAGnituDE project matters

Europe is facing its biggest displacement crisis in decades. The choices we make now — how we welcome, support, and listen to those affected — will shape the future of our societies.

By understanding the human side of this challenge, we can build communities that are not just more inclusive, but more resilient and democratic.