Measurements that matter:competition and frictions in data practices under the Global Compact on Refugees

The Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) emphasizes the need for better data. It aligns with initiatives such as the UNHCR-World Bank partnership, the establishment of their Joint Data Center, and the design of measurement practices to assess programs that support refugee employment in host countries. This thesis examines these changes through a theoretical framework that interrogates data practices through the lenses of competition and frictions. Competition refers to the drive to excel over others, present positive results and generate data showcasing refugees’ labor market integration. Frictions emerge as sites of resistance, where practitioners develop alternative ways of working that challenge these measurement practices. Through semi-structured interviews in Geneva and online, the research captures the perspectives of practitioners working with refugee data, who question for example why economic inclusion is prioritized over other issues related to the right to seek asylum. Ethnographic participant observation in Jordan reveals how the focus on employability in M&E reinforces a narrow view of work, often overlooking care labor. This study calls for participatory measurement to bridge policy priorities and field experiences, reframing competition as an opportunity for self-improvement rather than a market-driven race.