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The question of representation remains at the heart of efforts to understand and to influence the human condition. In myriad ways, this is an especially acute question for those who find themselves forcibly displaced from state and/or nation. In the absence of political franchise, what kinds of representation are possible for refugees and stateless persons? In the context of dominant national culture, how have displaced persons emerged in media and popular discourse? To what extent do refugees, the internally displaced and stateless persons remain inscribed within discourses of victimisation and dependency, on the one hand, and criminalisation and social deviance, on the other?

The Refugee Studies Centre (RSC) at the University of Oxford convened a two-day workshop on the theme of ‘Representation and Displacement: Refugees, IDPs and Stateless Persons in State and Nation’ in Oxford on 9-10 February 2007. Interested early-career researchers from Africa and Asia, in the first instance, were invited to submit paper abstracts, along with scholars from Latin America and the Middle East.

This workshop aimed to encourage interdisciplinary re-examination of the representation of displacement and displaced persons, particularly in the context of Africa, Asia and other regions in the ‘Global South’. It is hoped that revised versions of the papers in the form of a theoretically informed and critically engaged edited collection.

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.

Annual Elizabeth Colson Lecture

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

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.

Connect with us

To keep up to date with our events and activities, sign up for email alerts from the RSC and Forced Migration Review, and connect with us on social media.

Forthcoming events

A celebration of the life of David Turton

Saturday, 20 July 2024, 2pm to 3pm @ The Crypt Cafe, St Peters Church, Northchurch Terrace, London N1 4DA