Asylum and Migration Policy

Next to my academic work, I occasionally contribute to or organise publications and events that inform policy-makers and broader audiences about migration research and current practices. Between 2021 and 2024, I was the National Expert for Germany for the Asylum Information Database. The Database is managed by the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE) and provides up-to-date information on asylum policy, law, and practice for researchers, advocates, legal practitioners, and the public. Before starting my PhD, I worked as a Research Associate for the European Migration Network, co-authoring studies on various aspects of migration and asylum policy in Germany.

AIDA Country Reports

• AIDA Country Report Germany 2023 – with Teresa Fachinger and Marlene Stiller.
• AIDA Country Report Germany 2022 – with Marlene Stiller.
• AIDA Country Report Germany 2021.

Policy Publications

• Philipp Stutz and Paula Hoffmeyer-Zlotnik (2026): Hubs de retour : le nouveau mirage européen. Conférence Sciences Po
• Judith Kohlenberger, Paula Hoffmeyer-Zlotnik, Lena Laube, Bernd Parusel and Daniele Saracino (2025). Instrumentalisation of migration: Europe needs a strong and lawful response. Policy Brief, Jacques Delors Centre. Deutsche Version.
• Lavenex, Sandra, Mariana Alvarado, Paula Hoffmeyer-Zlotnik, and Philipp Lutz (2025). “Business Mobility as a Privileged Form of Temporary Labour Migration: Insights from the MITA Database and Switzerland.” In Temporary Labour Migration: Towards Social Justice? International Labour Organization.

Reports and expertise for the EU and international organizations

• The interaction between EU trade commitments and immigration rules in EU Member States (National Expert for Germany, with Sandra Lavenex).
• Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe: Exchange of views on missing refugee and migrant children in Europe (Report).

Studies for the European Migration Network

• Hoffmeyer-Zlotnik, Paula/Grote, Janne (2019). Attracting and retaining international students in Germany. Working Paper 85, Research Centre of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. Deutsche Version.
• Hoffmeyer-Zlotnik, Paula (2019). Developments in Germany in the context of visa liberalisation. Working Paper 83, Research Centre of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. Deutsche Version.
• Tangermann, Julian/Hoffmeyer-Zlotnik, Paula (2018). Unaccompanied Minors in Germany. Challenges and Measures after the Clarification of Residence Status. Working Paper 80, Research Centre of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. Deutsche Version.
• Hoffmeyer-Zlotnik, Paula (2017). Return Policy in Germany in the Context of EU Rules and Standards. Working Paper 77, Research Centre of the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. Deutsche Version.