AHESS Ibrahim: Universities of Sanctuary: Exploring Higher education provision and refugee students’ experiences

Faculty: Arts, Humanities, Education and Social Sciences

Supervisors: Dr Solava Ibrahim; Dr Samson Tsegay

Location: Cambridge

This project aims to articulate the voices and experiences of refugee students at six recently reaccredited Universities of Sanctuary (UsoS) in England. It aims to (1) critically examine the services provided by the Universities of Sanctuary; (2) contrast these services and institutional arrangements with the voices and lived experiences of refugee students in those universities; and 3) explore the ways in which these services can enhance refugee students’ HE experiences.

The research methodology will be primarily qualitative in nature, depending mainly on semi-structured interviews with diverse groups of refugee students and university officers in each university, in addition to conducting document analyses of relevant primary and secondary sources.

The project is expected to contribute to knowledge by acknowledging the diversity of refugee students and their unique and non-linear educational journeys, and critically examining how their experiences of displacement and migration can affect their successes in Higher Education (HE). From a policy perspective, the research will also explore different ways to fill the gaps that exist between the services provided by the UsoS and the emerging needs of refugee students in England.

Although there is no specific data on the number of refugee students in the UK, the number of refugees and asylum seekers’ applications reached 81,130 in 2022, the highest number since 2002 (House of Commons, 2024). The enrolment of refugees in HE is only 7% compared to 79% of the enrolment of students in high-income countries (UNHCR, 2023).

It is therefore not surprising that the number of UsoS in the UK reached 38 in November 2024, in recognition of their targeted support and services for refugees pursing HE, emphasising their commitment to creating an inclusive and welcoming culture where students experience an inclusive, tolerant and diverse setting. Hence, this study is not only timely given the growing number of refugees and UsoS in the UK, but it is also strategically important for other HE institutions – like ARU – aiming to obtain this recognition in the future.

The study will:

1. Identify and map the services provided by UsoS for refugee students, which could challenge the idea of the ‘university as a culturally alienating place’ (Earnest el al, 2010, p.169), and demonstrate how universities can be inclusive spaces for inclusion and tolerance – thus reinforcing their decolonisation and diversification.
2. Reinforce the current ‘equity drive’ in the HE sector to include marginalised groups, like refugees – thus reasserting the role of universities in enhancing social mobility and emphasising that universities are for all, not just for upper and middle classes.
3. Highlight the unique experiences of refugee students compared to other disadvantaged groups – thus giving them voice and differentiating their needs and experiences for better targeted and more inclusive HE services.

In particular, this research project will:

1. Critically examine the services provided by the UsoS;
2. Contrast these services and institutional arrangements with the voices and lived experiences of refugee students in those universities;
3. Explore the ways in which these services can enhance refugee students’ HE experiences.

The proposed study will adopt a qualitative multi-stakeholder approach drawing primarily on semi-structured interviews, and document analysis to explore the services provided by the universities of sanctuary and to articulate the voices and experiences of refugee students at these universities.

The proposed research will focus mainly on the six recently reaccredited UsoS in England allowing for an in-depth analysis of the services provided by these universities and to articulate the voices and experiences of refugee students in them. This focus also allows the researcher to critically examine the service provision and experiences at these universities over an extended period (mostly since 2017-2018). The participants will be identified through purposive sampling and snowballing, and the number of participants will be determined in consultation with the successful PGR candidate.

Finally, the research also depends on the document analysis of existing resources not only on the universities’ websites, but also strategic reports and policies obtained from the university officers during or after the interviews. The collected data will then be analysed using Nvivo software through open and thematic coding.

The purpose of this project is to explore the services and practices of universities as places of sanctuary and to critically examine the experiences of refugee students who benefit from these services. It is of high significance to researchers interested in HE institutions as well as for refugees and other migrant groups.

It is also relevant to those working in refugee-supporting organisations who might wish to pursue this doctoral research to enhance their career prospects. Thus, prospective students from a refugee background or with experience working with refugees or asylum seekers are welcome to apply.

If you would like to discuss this research project, please contact Dr Solava Ibrahim: [email protected]

Funding notes

The successful applicant for this project will receive a Vice Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship which covers the tuition fees and provides a UKRI equivalent minimum annual stipend for three years. For 2024/5 this was £19,237 per year. The award is subject to the successful candidate meeting the scholarship terms and conditions. Please note that the University asserts the right to claim any intellectual property generated by research it funds.

Download the 2024/5 terms and conditions (2025/6 terms and conditions TBC)