New Books in Science, Technology, and Society Emanuel Deutschmann, "Mapping the Transnational World: How We Move and Communicate Across Borders, and Why It Matters" (Princeton UP, 2022)
Dec 23, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Emanuel Deutschmann, an assistant professor at the University of Flensburg and expert in transnational mobility, shares his insights from his book on global connectivity. He argues that human movement and communication are primarily influenced by geographic distance rather than globalization, revealing that interactions are more regional than commonly perceived. Deutschmann delves into various data types, surprising findings on mobility patterns, and how political factors play a lesser role. He also highlights current research on visa inequality and its impact on mobility.
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A Teen Year In Ecuador Sparked The Inquiry
- Deutschmann lived in Ecuador at 16 and that personal mobility sparked his interest in transnational connectivity.
- His PhD grew from a Europe-focused project to a global comparative study of regions and mobility.
Distance Still Dominates Global Interaction
- Geography remains a powerful structuring force for transnational mobility and communication despite digital globalization narratives.
- Emanuel Deutschmann found most cross-border activity clusters regionally and this pattern persisted from 1960 to 2010.
More Movement, Not Less Spatial Bias
- Transnational flows increased dramatically from 1960–2010, with some types (students) growing exponentially.
- Rising totals did not erase the spatial pattern: more trips occurred, but mostly at short distances.