What role(s) can UK universities play in the integration of refugee and asylum seeker students?

Only five percent of refugees worldwide have access to Higher Education (HE), according to the UNHCR. In the UK, a growing number of universities seek to facilitate the entry of refugees and asylum seekers (RAS) into HE, with currently over 70 institutions offering some type of financial support for RAS students. Research into RAS student experiences has increased, although studies in the UK context are still relatively scarce.

This talk presents parts of the speaker’s doctoral research. It discusses RAS’ experiences during their studies and how their UK universities were organised to support them and presents the idea of a reflective university (adapted from Kagan & Diamond's (2019) work). A reflective university goes beyond supporting RAS students’ adaptation – it also allows itself to change by engaging with the knowledge RAS students bring with them.

Isabelle Schäfer is a doctoral researcher in the Social and Policy Department at the University of Bath. Her PhD research focuses on the role of Higher Education Institutions in the integration of refugees and asylum seekers in the United Kingdom.

She has a MSc degree in Comparative and International Education from Oxford University, and previously worked in communications for the World Bank in Latin America, based in Mexico City. She also holds Masters in Journalism from Columbia University and Sciences Po, Paris.

Sanctuary at Bath This event is being hosted by the University of Bath's Sanctuary Working Group, chaired by Professor Cassie Wilson (Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Student Experience). The University received a University of Sanctuary Award in November 2020. For more information about Sanctuary at Bath please see: www.bath.ac.uk/topics/sanctuary-at-bath/

Find out about World Access to HE Day here: https://worldaccesshe.com/activities/world-access-to-higher-education-day/

World Access to Higher Education Day: Talk & Discussion