Migration between Guyana and the Guianas: a study at the heart of regional mobility

A research mission hosted in French Guiana

From 9 to 17 July 2026, the Office of International Relations at the University of French Guiana hosted a delegation of researchers from Guyana. This field mission focused on migration between Guyana and the Guianas.

The delegation was from the International Centre for Migration and Diaspora Studies at the University of Guyana. Dr Coreen Jacobs-Chester led the team. Research assistants Olivia Welcome and Crystal Stephens accompanied her during the visit.

This research project forms part of a wider initiative focusing on Guyanese communities living in the Guianas. The researchers aim to gain a better understanding of their migration patterns. They are also studying their integration and the day-to-day realities of transnational families.

Regional mobility, which remains poorly documented

Migration by Guyanese people to North America or Europe has already been the subject of numerous studies. However, movements within the Guiana Shield remain relatively little understood.

Nevertheless, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and northern Brazil maintain close ties. These ties are historical, economic, social and cultural. They have long facilitated regular movement of people between these territories.

This research therefore aims to shed new light on regional migration. It analyses its effects on migrants, their families and the societies that receive them. It also provides a better understanding of the links between the various regions of the Guiana Shield.

A study based on in-depth interviews

The team is taking a qualitative approach. It is conducting in-depth interviews with migrants originally from Guyana who have been living in French Guiana, Suriname or Brazil for at least ten years.

Through these discussions, researchers gather detailed personal accounts. Participants can explain why they left, how they settled in and how they adapted. They can also describe the difficulties they encountered and the solutions they have put in place over the years.

The study focuses in particular on the mechanisms of social, cultural and economic integration. It seeks to understand how migrants find their place in their host country whilst maintaining links with their country of origin.

The interviews also address the organisation of transnational families. Researchers are examining the strategies used to maintain family relationships across borders. These practices can play an important role in migrants’ daily lives.

Support from the International Relations Office

During its stay in French Guiana, the delegation received support from the University of French Guiana’s International Relations Office. This support helped the delegation to immerse itself in the local environment and gain an understanding of local realities.

Meetings were organised with representatives from institutions, academia and the voluntary sector. These discussions enabled the researchers to gain a better understanding of the region. They also helped to foster collaborations that were beneficial to the project.

Furthermore, these meetings made it easier to identify participants for the study. Local stakeholders are familiar with the communities concerned and their circumstances. Their contribution therefore strengthens the research’s local roots.

This collaboration highlights the importance of dialogue between researchers and local stakeholders. It enables the generation of knowledge that is closely linked to real-life experiences. It also helps to better connect academic research with local issues.

Closer cooperation between the two universities

Beyond its scientific significance, this mission confirms the momentum of cooperation between research institutions in Guyana and French Guiana. It promotes the exchange of expertise on migration issues specific to the Guiana Shield.

The findings will help to inform discussions on regional mobility. They will also contribute to debates on integration, mobility and cross-border cooperation policies.

This study on migration between Guyana and the Guianas thus links academic research to the needs of the territories. It highlights the social, family, cultural and economic dimensions of migration patterns.

An initiative rooted in long-term relationships

This mission builds on the existing ties between the University of French Guiana and the University of Guyana. The two institutions are thus reaffirming their commitment to working together on issues of common concern to their region.

They also share a commitment to research in the humanities and social sciences. This approach is intended to improve understanding of regional dynamics and strengthen cooperation within the Guyana Plateau.

By combining academic expertise with practical knowledge, this initiative helps to shed more light on patterns of movement that have long been overshadowed by large-scale international migration. It thus places the experiences of migrants and their families at the centre of the discussion.

The research trip, organised from 9 to 17 July 2026, sheds light on the journeys of migrants from Guyana in the Guiana Shield. Through interviews and local partnerships, it analyses their integration, family ties and everyday lives. It also strengthens cooperation between the University of French Guiana and the University of Guyana. Follow the work of these two institutions to find out the forthcoming results of this regional research.