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Refugee Studies Programme: An introduction – A promotional video for the Refugee Studies Centre (formerly the Refugee Studies Programme) made in 1992 by the then Development Coordinator, Belinda Allan. It has recently been digitised and made available online in celebration of the RSC's 30th anniversary

Timeline 1982–2017

2023

Dr Catherine Briddick is appointed as Andrew W Mellon Associate Professor of International Human Rights and Refugee Law

2023

Professor Tom Scott-Smith becomes the Centre's eighth director.

2022

The RSC Pathways course is launched, a three-month online course in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies available free of charge to individuals who have been affected by forced displacement. 

2021

The Refugee-Led Research Hub (RLRH), a collaborative initiative of the BIEA and RSC, is launched, based in Nairobi.

2021

The International Summer School goes online for the first time in its 30-year history due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020

The Gil Loescher Memorial Fund is established

2019

RSC Conference Democratizing Displacement held in March

2018

Founding Director, Dr Barbara Harrell-Bond dies on 11 July 2018

2017

Professor Matthew Gibney becomes the Centre's seventh director

2017

RSC Conference Beyond Crisis: Rethinking Refugee Studies held in March

2015

Dr Tom Scott-Smith appointed as Associate Professor of Refugee Studies and Forced Migration

2015

Research in Brief series launched

2014

Professor Alexander Betts becomes the Centre's sixth director 

2014

RSC Conference Refugee Voices held in March

2013

Funding secured for fourth permanent teaching post. Dr Cathryn Costello appointed as the Andrew W Mellon University Lecturer in Human Rights and Refugee Law

2011 

Professor Dawn Chatty becomes the Centre’s fifth director

2010

UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres visits the RSC

2009

RSC moves into purpose-built new wing at Mansfield Road

2008

Policy Briefing Series launched

2007

Forced Migration Information Network launched with Southern Partners

2006

Professor Roger Zetter becomes the Centre’s fourth director

2005

Barbara Harrell-Bond awarded OBE for services to refugee and forced migration studies

2005

RSC begins a five-year, £2.5m Programmatic arrangement from the UK Department for International Development’s Conflict and Humanitarian Fund

2003

Third permanent Departmental Lectureship post secured

2002

Forced Migration Masters course given Masters of Science status

2002

Forced Migration Online resource portal goes live

2002 

Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education awarded in recognition of the RSC’s pioneering research and innovative training programmes

2001 

Prof Stephen Castles appointed the third RSC director

2000

‘New Look’ Summer School programme incorporates active learning process

2000

RSC Library becomes a fully integrated part of the Oxford University Library Services (OULS)

2000

Refugee Studies Programme becomes Refugee Studies Centre.  Centre status within QEH (now Oxford Department for International Development) awarded by the University

1999

Working Paper Series launched

1998

Master of Studies in Forced Migration offered for the first time, replacing Foundation Course

1998

RPN Newsletter is re-launched as Forced Migration Review

1997

Dr David Turton replaces Barbara Harrell-Bond as Director

1997

Studies in Forced Migration book series, Volume 1 published by Berghahn Books

1996

International Association for the Study of Forced Migration (IASFM) launched building on the International Research and Advisory Panel (IRAP) established by the Centre

1994

Centre’s first endowed posts secure tenure for the Director and a further Lectureship

1989

International Summer School in Forced Migration first held

1989

First Annual Elizabeth Colson Lecture

1988

Journal of Refugee Studies first published by Oxford University Press

1987

Foundation Course in Refugee Studies initiated 1987 Refugee Participation Network Newsletter launched

1986

First Annual Human Rights Lecture (now the Annual Harrell-Bond Lecture)

1986

Visiting Fellows Programme opened

1982

Refugee Studies Programme (RSP) established within Queen Elizabeth House (QEH) by Dr Barbara Harrell-Bond. Programme built on a three-year fellowship to study humanitarian relief in the Sudan