Exactly 20 years ago, Christian and Ian participated in an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Research Centre competition for a national research centre on migration. Despite that particular funding going elsewhere, the idea of a Centre for research on migration persisted and in 2002 we founded CReAM (Centre for Research and Analysis of Migration). Initial funding was very limited, but our situation improved significantly in 2008, when Christian became the Scientific Director of the first large New Opportunities for Research Funding Agency Cooperation in Europe (NORFACE) Research programme, which was on migration and which comprised 75 interdisciplinary research teams from twenty countries.

Today CReAM is well known as a first-rate research centre on migration and labour economics, and we have a large international network of fellows, associates, collaborators and alumni. Many applied researchers in Europe and beyond started their careers at CReAM, have joined us as visitors, or participated in our events, workshops or conferences.

To celebrate 20 years of CReAM, we are holding a large workshop in Nizza Monferrato in Piedmont in Italy. The event will take place from August 31 to September 4, 2022, at our usual workshop location, Agriturismo Albarossa. We are planning an extraordinary programme - besides a scientific programme with three days of presentations and discussions, we will have many fringe events, such as wine tastings and visits to farms and wineries in the area, great dinners etc. We hope to welcome many of those who have been connected to CReAM over the past two decades, and you will be sure to meet many old friends.