Migration and Climate
Policy researcher and strategist specializing in migration and mobility
Scott Drinkall is a policy researcher and strategist focused on migration, climate change, and community resilience. A PhD student in Public Policy at George Mason University and a Consultant with the Nexight Group, he blends rigorous research with practical problem-solving. Scott has advised leaders in Hawai‘i, conducted fieldwork across the Pacific and Asia, and supported projects at the United Nations. His work brings clarity to complex policy challenges—whether shaping regulatory frameworks, advancing public health, or exploring how climate change reshapes mobility.
About
Global Research, Local Partnerships
I’ve worked across the Pacific, East Africa, and Asia—partnering with communities, governments, and international organizations to address pressing challenges in migration, climate change, and public health.
Publications (selected)
2025
2024
2019
2022
George Mason University Panel
February 10, 2025
The Schar School of Policy and Government organaized a series of doctoral student workshops. On February 10 I served on a panel on presenting and publishing papers.
As one of GMU’s doctoral students who has published in well-known journals, I was asked to serve on the panel comprised of three doctoral students and three faculty members.
120th American Political Science Association (APSA) Annual Meeting & Exhibition, in Philadelphia, PA
September 7, 2024
Chair: Betina Cutaia Wilkinson, Wake Forest University
Roundtable on Climate Change and Vulnerable Populations
George Mason University “Brown Bag” Workshop
February 7, 2024
Topic: Paper on “The Effect of Slow-Onset Climate Change on Migration Decisions” by Justin Gest, Lucas Núñez, Scott Drinkall, Kapiolani Micky
Presenters
Lucas Nunez & Scott Drinkall
Washington, D.C.
November 2022
“Migration in the Midst of a Pandemic: A Case Study of Pacific Islanders in Oregon”
The Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management (APPAM) 2022 Fall Research Conference was held in Washington, D.C. at the Washington Hilton. The theme was Advancing Policy Research with Cross-Disciplinary Perspectives. I presented in the session: Impacts of COVID-19 and Medicaid Expansion on Immigrants & Refugees (Population and Migration Issues) with other student researchers. The session discussants provided extensive feedback on our paper before opening for public Q&A.
Follow-up Items
Review literature on knowns/unknowns and the sense of urgency. More generally, the literature on response to uncertainty. (Eric McGlinchey)
Clarify role of slow-onset and fast-onset events: how does uncertainty affect the way people think about the migration decision?
Draw in literature from disaster studies regarding slow- and fast-onset. David Hart(?) offered to put us in touch with Boim, journal editor.
Explore more why health so important—related to infrastructure of the FSM?
Discuss more heterogenous effects on the non-climate attributes, e.g. those with health problems are more reactive to health components, people with children are less reactive to the family components (have ties to the land). Explore these further.
Find the proportion of those who had health issues. Interpret the results further regarding health.
Honolulu
September 2022
“Migration in the Midst of a Pandemic: A Case Study of Pacific Islanders in Oregon”
In collaboration with the Center for Pacific Islands Studies (CPIS), the Ocean Policy Research Institute (OPRI), the Environmental Law Institute (ELI), the Global Infrastructure Fund Research Foundation Japan, and others, our research team presented on vulnerabilities and agency of Pacific Islander migrants.
Arlington, VA
April 2021
“Migration in the Midst of a Pandemic: A Case Study of Pacific Islanders in Oregon”
(preliminary findings)
The Graduate and Professional Student Association hosted the 2021 Mason Graduate Interdisciplinary Conference. On behalf of our team I presented our preliminary findings on Phase II of the Migration with Dignity work. The abstract can be read here.
Tokyo
January 2020
“Climate Change, Migration, and Vulnerability”
The Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (OPRI-SPF) invited our team to participate in a roll-out event for the Journal of Disaster Research Special Issue on Climate-Migration and related meetings held in Tokyo, Japan. This opportunity afforded us the chance to meet with other researchers from around the globe, friends at the Ocean Policy Research Institute, and new acquaintances who attended the roll-out.
Washington, D.C.
March 2019
“Migration of Pacific Islanders to Oregon: Assessing Quality of Life Facilitators and Inhibitors”
Migration from Pacific Islands to mainland United States has been increasing for several factors including education, jobs, family, and health. Though climate change is not (yet) a primary driver of emigration, it is often cited as a reason to not return to the islands. This migration often happens quite quickly, with little planning, and the transition to a new way of life may not occur as seamlessly as hoped.
In collaboration with the Environmental Law Institute, we shared lessons learned from Pacific Islanders in the United States, and how the concept of Migration with Dignity can be built with this shared knowledge.
See the video recording here
Oregon
March 2019
“A Portrait of Migration: Experiences of First-Generation Chuukese, Marshallese, and Palauans in Oregon”
In both Portland and Salem, we shared results of research studies that seek to better understand the motivations and experiences of Micronesians who emigrate and establish new lives abroad. Special attention was given to research results of first-generation Chuukese, Marshallese, and Palauans who have emigrated to Oregon. Community members, including some of those we interviewed, discussed the study results, implications, and facilitators and barriers for improved lives.
Honolulu
February 2019
“Migration with Dignity: A Case Study on the Livelihood Transition of Micronesians to Portland and Salem, Oregon”
In this international seminar “Aspirations and Livelihood Transition of Migrants from the Pacific to Abroad” at the Imin International Conference Center, East-West Center, we discussed findings from surveys on the issue of so-called Climate Refugees from SIDS. Emphasis was placed on (a) education and training before migration and (b) livelihood re-establishment after migration.
Following the seminar was an experts meeting on “How Religion, Culture and Education Influence the Perception of People about Climate Change.” The events were organized by the Department of International Studies, The University of Tokyo; the Environmental Law Institute; Faculty of Sustainability Studies, Hosei University; and the Ocean Policy Research Institute.
American Association of Geographers
Los Angeles
April 2013
“Geographic Variations in the Cell Phone-Only Population”
(Co-authored)
Data analysis uses critical thinking skills to look at trends and come to conclusions based on findings. It also requires an attention to detail and vigilance in computations. Essentially, it is about translating numbers into plain English and making better decisions with that knowledge, something valuable for market research or logistics.
Findings from a statistical analysis of cell phone-only households were presented at the 2013 American Association of Geographers Conference in Los Angeles by Professor Ira Sheskin at the University of Miami.
Florida Society of Geographers
Gainesville
February 2011
“An Analysis of the Socio-Economic and Demographic Effects of Miami-Dade’s SunLife Stadium”
As a member of the Florida Society of Geographers I presented my work on the promotion of stadiums and their socio-economic and demographic effects at various scales at the annual conference.
Spatial-statistical analysis and ArcGIS were incorporated to address concerns over developers’ and politicians’ promises of neighborhood revitalization, assessing socio-economic effects spatially and temporally, and how prevailing ideas in the sport tourism literature are both affirmed and challenged by stadium development.
Chair: Dr. Mary Caravelis
To conduct the investigation, the following questions are asked:
1) Where is the sports arena located?
2) What are the socio-economic effects of the stadium on the surrounding neighborhood over time?
International Graduate Student Conference University of Hawaii
Honolulu
February 2010
“Tourism Geography in Lijiang, China: Touristification and Socio-Spatial Transformation of a World Heritage Site”
Moderator: Ricardo D. Trimillos, Professor and Chair of Asian Studies
Upcoming Research
Navigating Home: Return Migration Intentions Among Pacific Islanders
Federated States of Micronesia (remote)
Pacific Islanders face a dual reality: rising seas and intensifying storms threaten their homelands, while opportunities and stability in the United States pull them away. Under the Compacts of Free Association (COFA), citizens of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau can move freely between both worlds—making their return migration decisions especially revealing. This study uses surveys and interviews to explore why some Islanders consider going back, what holds them in the U.S., and how climate change and identity shape those choices. By centering the voices of a highly mobile yet underrepresented community, the research offers fresh insights for climate mobility scholarship and delivers practical guidance for policymakers and organizations supporting Pacific Islanders at home and abroad.
Return Migration in Micronesia: An Inquiry into Reintegration
Salem, OR or Springdale, AR
Return migration remains an underexamined aspect of global mobility, especially within Small Island Developing States (SIDS). In Micronesia, most scholarship focuses on outward migration and diaspora communities, leaving returnees’ experiences largely unexplored. This study will investigate how Chuukese migrants navigate identity, belonging, and reintegration after returning from abroad. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with returnees, the research examines three dimensions: identity negotiation, decision-making factors, and reintegration challenges and supports. An interpretivist, grounded theory approach allows themes to emerge directly from participants’ narratives, while reflexivity ensures attention to power dynamics and positionality. By centering returnees’ voices, the study advances understanding of migration as a circular and identity-driven process, with implications for policy, development, and broader migration theory.
