Derbyshire Refugee Conference 2025
Join us for an insightful, full-day in-person event bringing together researchers, organisations and individuals with lived experience, to discuss contemporary issues facing displaced people and those seeking sanctuary locally, nationally and internationally.
📅 Date: Friday, 13th June 2025
📍 Location: One Friargate, Derby
⏰ Time: Full-day event (10am to 5pm, lunch provided)
Hear from practitioners, refugee organisations, public service providers, students, and staff as we discuss key challenges and solutions.
Now in its second edition, this event will also be an opportunity to learn about the latest research, community engagement and civic initiatives undertake by University of Derby staff with refugees and refugee communities.
The programme will also include workshop activities to discuss the needs and opportunities across the Derbyshire sector and explore potential collaborations between different stakeholders and with the university.
⭐Reserve your spot now! (The event is free, with lunch provided, but places are limited and booking is essential)
PROGRAMME (provisional, with further speakers to be confirmed)
10:00 - Welcome and introduction - Alessio D'Angelo (University of Derby)
10:15- Papers Session I - Building new refugee narratives
Speakers: Larissa Allwork; Giulia Levi; Rachel Rafferty (UoD)
11:00 – Spotlights on local initiatives
Including: Derby Refugee Law Clinic, UoD Social Sciences, Workpays, Derby Refugee Week
11:45- Coffee break
12:00 – Papers Session II - Families, Communities and Sanctuary
Speakers: Wendy Conrad (UoD); Sue Wall; Obaida Sharar
12:45 - Networking Lunch
13:30– Reflections on the state of the sector
With representatives from Strategic Migration Partnership; New Arrivals Alliance, Derby City Council and more
14:15 -Coffee Break
14:30 - Workshop
The workshop – facilitated by UoD academics - is particularly aimed at refugee organisations and providers of refugee services from the public and voluntary sector. It aims to discuss the needs and opportunities across the sector and start a conversation about further potential collaborations between different stakeholders and with the university.
16:30 - Final group discussion and reflections
