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the lecture

Over the past two years, Patrick Kingsley has visited over 20 countries in his capacity as the Guardian's first-ever migration correspondent. He has interviewed smugglers, refugees, coastguards, and border-guards; spent weeks onboard rescue missions in the Mediterranean; walked with migrants through the Balkans; and visited refugee camps across the Middle East, Europe and Africa. In the process Kingsley gained a unique perspective on migration to and through Europe – and on 26 October will present some of the lessons he has learnt from this experience.

the speaker

Patrick Kingsley is the Guardian's migration correspondent. He was named foreign affairs journalist of the year at the British Journalism Awards. His book about the European refugee crisis, The New Odyssey, which is based on reportage from 17 countries along the migration trail, was published by Faber in May. Patrick is a former winner of the Frontline award for print journalism, and was previously the Guardian's Egypt correspondent. He has reported from 25 countries, including Denmark, where he wrote a travel book called How to be Danish.

podcast

A podcast of this lecture is now available here >>

Annual Elizabeth Colson Lecture

The Annual Elizabeth Colson Lecture is held in Trinity term. It is named after Professor Elizabeth Colson, a renowned anthropologist.

Annual Harrell-Bond Lecture

The Annual Harrell-Bond Lecture is named in honour of Dr Barbara Harrell-Bond, the founding Director of the Refugee Studies Centre. It is held each year in Michaelmas term.

Public Seminar Series

Each term the RSC holds a series of public seminars, held on Wednesday evenings at Queen Elizabeth House. Click here for details of forthcoming seminars.

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Forthcoming events

Unwelcome to Denmark: The Paradigm Shift and Refugee Integration

Wednesday, 21 January 2026, 5pm to 6pm @ This is an online Zoom event. Registration will open in January 2026.

Game: The Economy of Undocumented Migration from Afghanistan to Europe

Wednesday, 28 January 2026, 5pm to 6pm @ Seminar Room 1, Oxford Department of International Development, 3 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TB

The price of Fortress Europe: critical reflections on the EU’s migration policies and constitutional horizons

Wednesday, 04 February 2026, 5pm to 6pm @ Seminar Room 1, Oxford Department of International Development, 3 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TB

The Way Out: Justice in the Queer Search for Refuge - Book Launch

Thursday, 12 February 2026, 5pm to 6pm @ To be held at The Old Library, All Souls College. Registration to open in January 2026

Anthropology of Good: Exploring Volunteerism in the 2015 European Refugee Crisis

Wednesday, 25 February 2026, 5pm to 6pm @ Seminar Room 1, Oxford Department of International Development, 3 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TB