Refugee and Migration Studies

The Community of Expertise: Refugee & Migration Studies (CommExp: Refugee) was set up, with the support of CELT, to provide a forum for academics working with refugees and migrants, and the socio-economic, cultural and historical contexts surrounding their departure from their home country to their new homes.

In January 2019 the Welsh Government unveiled it's plan for Wales to become a Nation of Sanctuary. Previously, Cardiff was granted City of Sanctuary status in June 2014. And in March 2020 USW became Wales' second University of Sanctuary. City of Sanctuary is a movement bringing together various organisations, civil society groups and communities to help make countries, cities, towns and villages a safer place for people fleeing violence, oppression and persecution. As such, the inauguration of the CommExp: Refugee is very timely.

With no abatement in conflicts or persecution across the globe, and increasing societal pressure from climate change and depleted natural resources likely to provide more pretexts for more conflict and oppression, it is predictable that their will be refugees and migrants fleeing one country or another. How we treat people, in flight from danger or poverty to save their own lives or simply build a tenable one, says a lot about our own communities and our capacity for empathy with others' experiences. Unfortunately, there is significant hostility towards refugees and migrants; driven by fear of the other, the unfamiliar, and whipped up by politicians and press exploiting the situation for their own selfish advantage.

This community brings together USW staff to share experiences, ideas, good practice and foster collaboration. It aims to create better understanding of the lived experiences of refugees and migrants, aid integration and reduce discrimination against refugees and migrants.

Please join this community if you are working with refugees and/or migrants. Come and share your experiences, hear others' and collaborate on new projects and initiatives. If working with refugees and migrants is something you would like to do, feel free to join and learn from your peers' experience and knowledge.

Community members can share content and collaborate using the dedicated, private CommExp: Refugee Sharepoint site (new or prospective Community members can follow the link to request access to this site). 

If you're a USW colleague or student involved in work with refugees or the study of migration, join us!