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  • Perspective
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Engaging migrants and immigrants in genetics research

Nature Genetics volume 57, pages 2634–2643 (2025)Cite this article

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Abstract

Human populations are always moving within and between countries, setting differential patterns of migration. However, there is a lack of representation of migrants and immigrants in genetics research, which hinders scientific discovery and exacerbates health disparities. This Perspective examines challenges to equitable participation and proposes actionable strategies to enhance inclusion. Drawing from a comprehensive review of recruitment approaches, we advocate for community-centered, digitally enhanced and culturally responsive strategies, including partnerships with community organizations, trusted cultural spaces and multilingual outreach. Integrating migrants into research conducted in host countries is both cost-effective and essential for enhancing genetic heterogeneity in study samples, as it allows for the inclusion of globally diverse populations without the logistical and financial burdens of conducting international recruitment. By embracing inclusive, community-driven approaches that reflect the realities of global mobility, the field can produce more generalizable genomic knowledge.

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Acknowledgements

D.S.A. received funding from the Southern and Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority through research project number 150901.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Mariana Valdez-Aguilar

  2. Health Sciences Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Jamie L. Conklin

  3. Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway

    Dawit Shawel Abebe

  4. Research Center for Substance Use Disorders and Mental Illness, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Brumunddal, Norway

    Dawit Shawel Abebe

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  1. Mariana Valdez-Aguilar
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  2. Jamie L. Conklin
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  3. Dawit Shawel Abebe
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M.V.-A. conceptualized the Perspective, outlined the manuscript structure and wrote the first draft. J.L.C. compiled and analyzed relevant literature and assisted with editing. D.S.A. supervised the overall project, developed the central concepts and guided the writing process. All authors reviewed, edited and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Dawit Shawel Abebe.

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Valdez-Aguilar, M., Conklin, J.L. & Abebe, D.S. Engaging migrants and immigrants in genetics research. Nat Genet 57, 2634–2643 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-025-02373-1

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