The University of Bath is a University of Sanctuary. With ongoing collaboration from the Students’ Union, the local branch of the University and College Union (UCU), and staff and students, we strive to create a welcoming, open environment for students arriving at Bath from war-torn parts of the world.
In February, one of our Warm Welcome Scholars, Mir Abdullah Miri joined took part in a two-day participatory arts workshop at King’s College London. The workshop drew upon the Refugee Week 2024 theme of 'Our Home', and explored ideas of belonging and sanctuary in UK universities. Students and academics from universities across the UK came together to creatively explore their experiences of accessing higher education after forced displacement.
On World Refugee Day, please take some time out of your day to watch the film that was produced during the event (at the bottom of this page). It includes Mir and other scholars sharing their lived experiences as refugees, alongside some of the art that was created over the two days.
Join our event − Research and Refuge: Universities and Sanctuary Seekers
To mark World refugee Day, we are hosting an informal event over lunch to share the work we're doing as a University of Sanctuary.
It's an opportunity to learn more about the research we're doing to improve refugee and asylum-seeking students' experience in higher education in the UK.
The event will explore the symbiotic relationship between universities and sanctuary seekers, highlighting first hand experiences and the opportunities for mutual growth. You will hear from refugees and asylum seekers who have faced forced migration and from people in our community who provide refuge.
Join us in the Claverton Rooms from 12.00 to 1.45pm to participate in an enlightening and inspiring discussion, showcasing how academic institutions and refugees can collaborate for a better future. There will also be the opportunity to network and share experiences.
Agenda
- 12:00 - Welcome and light lunch
- 12:15 - Formal welcome from Professor Jane White, VP (Community & Inclusion)
- 12:20 - Academic Research Presentation – Dr Katharina Lenner, Lecturer, Dept of Social & Policy Sciences: Improving refugee and asylum-seeking students' experience in higher education in the UK
12:30 - Panel discussion and Q&A – Impact of Sanctuary: Student and Community
- Moderator: Imroze Sahota, Student Retention Team Leader
- Mir Miri, PhD Research Programme in Education
- Shreeja Srikanth, Undergraduate Student, BSc (Hons) Psychology/STAR
- Alice Herve, Bath Welcomes Refugees
- Dr Katharina Lenner, Lecturer, Dept of Social & Policy Sciences
13:10 - Q&A
13:25 - Coffee and networking
13:45 - End of the event