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This event is a timely engagement with current developments in the majority Kurdish regions of Northern Syria in the context of the Turkish state’s ongoing “Peace Spring” cross-border military operation. UN reports estimate that hundreds of thousands of people have been forced into displacement as a result of the operation.  According to Amnesty International, there is “damning evidence” of war crimes against the civilian population by the Turkish state and its allies. The Turkish government wants to establish a “safe zone” in the majority Kurdish border area to resettle Syrian refugees.

The event will provide information on the recent developments, focusing on the humanitarian situation on the ground. Syrian-Kurdish residents of Oxford have been invited to discuss their perspectives with the audience.

Chair: Dr Dilar Dirik (Joyce Pearce Junior Research Fellow)

With the Oxford Kurdish Association and Kurd-Akad

 

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.

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

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