Exploring (im)mobility in authoritarian contexts: The insights of Azerbaijani undergraduate students

Abstract This study examines how Azerbaijani undergraduate students navigate (im)mobility decisions within the intersecting dynamics of post-Soviet legacy, rising authoritarianism, and global opportunity structures. While repressive state policies, limited political freedoms, and distorted education and employment systems contribute to frustration and aspirations to (im)mobility, these motivations are also shaped by national identity, family ties, and intergenerational memory. Drawing on 40 in-depth semi-structured interviews conducted in two universities in Baku, the research explores how youth respond to constrained environments with strategic choices. Rather than framing mobility purely as a form of escape, the findings highlight the complexity of decisions shaped by both personal ambitions and structural pressures. Many undergraduate students see studying abroad—either short- or long-term—as a path to opportunities unavailable under current restrictions, while others remain immobile due to strong family and national attachments. This study offers a nuanced understanding of how youth mobility intentions form under authoritarian rule, contributing to broader debates on student (im)mobility in restrictive political settings.