‘MTSU On the Record’ examines pandemic’s effects on worldwide migration

Dr. Andrei Korobkov, a professor of political science and international relations, right, was recently interviewed by host Gina Logue’s first installment of a two-part interview for the “MTSU On the Record” radio program that will air from 9:30 to 10 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, and from 6 to 6:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, on WMOT-FM Roots Radio 89.5 and www.wmot.org. Korobkov analyzes the pandemic’s international impact on the flow of refugees and others among both developed and undeveloped countries and how it has become a political issue in the U.S. (Immigrant photo by Tom Fisk from Pexels; MTSU photo of Korobkov)

Dr. Andrei Korobkov, a professor of political science and international relations, right, is the guest on host Gina Logue’s first installment of a two-part interview for the “MTSU On the Record” radio program that first aired Dec. 14 on WMOT-FM Roots Radio 89.5 and www.wmot.org. Korobkov analyzes the pandemic’s international impact on the flow of refugees and others among both developed and undeveloped countries and how it has become a political issue in the U.S. (Immigrant photo by Tom Fisk from Pexels; MTSU photo of Korobkov)

A Russian scholar explored the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on migration on a recent “MTSU On the Record” radio program.

The first installment of host Gina Logue’s two-part interview with Dr. Andrei Korobkov, a professor of political science and international relations, first aired Dec. 14 on WMOT-FM Roots Radio 89.5 and www.wmot.org.

You can hear their conversation at the SoundCloud link above.

Gina K. Logue

Dr. Andrei Korobkov

In addition to analyzing the pandemic’s international impact on the flow of refugees and others among both developed and undeveloped countries, Korobkov found that its effects on immigration as a political issue in the United States have been twofold.

“On the one hand, yes, it has created tensions,” Korobkov said. “It has given a boost to xenophobia, to prejudices.

“On the other hand, it has very clearly shown the importance of migrants for the labor markets, for the economy, for private business, and, therefore, it has emphasized the value of immigrants.”

The second program with Korobkov, which is slated to air Tuesday, Dec. 21, and again Sunday, Dec. 26, will cover Russia’s immigration policies and how they have affected the other former Soviet republics.