In Memory of Professor Margaret Walton-Roberts

It is with profound sadness that the Metropolis International Executive Committee marks the passing of our esteemed colleague and dear friend, Professor Margaret Walton-Roberts, on August 11, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Margaret was deeply woven into the fabric of Metropolis. A longtime contributor to our conferences, research collaborations, and policy dialogues, she brought to Metropolis her warmth, passion, dedication, sense of humour and intellect. She had an extraordinary ability to bridge scholarship and policy, ensuring that the voices of researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers were in conversation with one another.

Her scholarship left a remarkable legacy for the global migration community. Margaret’s research spanned gender and migration, transnational networks, immigrant settlement, international student mobility, and the migration of health care professionals. Always with a commitment to impact, she demonstrated how rigorous academic work can shape policy and improve the lives of migrants and their communities.

Within Metropolis, Margaret was not only a leading thinker but also a builder of community. She convened panels, mentored scholars, and created space for practitioners and policymakers to share knowledge and collaborate. Her ability to connect people across disciplines, countries, and sectors exemplified the spirit of Metropolis.

We will remember Margaret not only for her contributions to migration studies and policy but also for her warmth, humour, and kindness. She was a mentor to many, a trusted colleague to all, and a friend whose presence enriched our gatherings and networks.

On behalf of the Metropolis International Executive Committee, we extend our deepest condolences to Margaret’s family, her husband Ben and their three sons, Will, Sam, and Calum. Her loss is felt across the global Metropolis community, and her legacy will continue to inspire our work for years to come.

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