Refugee-Led Research Hub

About RLRH

The Refugee-Led Research Hub (RLRH) is a global initiative based at the Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford. Founded in October 2020, we support individuals with lived experience of forced displacement to become leaders in fields of humanitarian response, forced migration, human rights, and other areas of interest that are identified by affiliates. We do so by delivering academic programming to a cohort of students who have been affected by displacement, supporting access to graduate degrees and professional development opportunities. RLRH also creates opportunities for researchers with displacement backgrounds to lead primary and secondary research studies, from start to finish. Our research agenda is guided by the concerns of forcibly displaced communities and aims to have a direct impact on policy and practice. A majority of RLRH colleagues and scholars identify as current or former refugees, asylum seekers, IDPs, and stateless persons, amongst other categories. The RLRH has offices in Nairobi, Kakuma refugee camp, and Oxford. 

Overview of activities

We support individuals at different stages of their academic and professional journeys, ensuring opportunities for progressive professional development. A key underpinning of our work is a graduation model that supports RLRH affiliates to acquire skills they might need, beginning with the foundational RSC Pathways course (an online programme in Refugee and Forced Migration Studies), and carrying onward to advanced academic training and professional opportunities. RLRH has three core pillars focusing on: 1) academic programmes, 2) research initiatives, and 3) professional placements. For a look at some of the core achievements of these pillars, review the RLRH factsheet.

Overview of the Academic Pillar:

The Academic Pillar (AP) is responsible for developing and running graduate-level academic training programmes. We support learners who have pursued Bachelor’s degrees (or have equivalent education experience) and who may have interest in Master’s and doctoral degrees, as well as other post-graduate opportunities. While RLRH offer specialised content in the field of Refugee and Forced Migration Studies, we work to prepare colleagues for a breadth of academic programmes across the Social Sciences and Humanities, more generally. The AP delivers two core programmes for which we are best known: RSC Pathways, an advanced academic preparation course, and Graduate Horizons, a graduate application support scheme.

Overview of the Research Pillar:

The Research Pillar (RP) creates opportunities for researchers with a displacement background to lead primary and secondary research studies in the field of forced migration, from start to finish. We collaborate on research opportunities with partners committed to promoting refugee leadership in forced migration research. The Research Pillar offers strong research skills and granular local knowledge to stakeholders involved in the refugee response in East Africa. Our team is well-suited to lead qualitative studies exploring emerging topics that engage the refugee community. We pay close attention to the ethics of conducting research, and prioritise studies that actively engage displaced persons in the design and validation of findings. Our research also aims to provide evidence to stakeholders to advance policies and programmes that are more responsive to refugee community needs. An overview of our publications can be found here. (Please note: this website is currently under development and more publications will be available soon.)

Overview of the Professional Placements Pillar:

The Professional Placements Pillar (PPP) facilitates career placements for scholars who have been affected by forced displacement. Our professional placement activities aim to support RLRH affiliates who have completed our academic and research training programmes to access opportunities with organisations and individuals who are committed to supporting refugee leadership in positions of influence. Most placements we offer are with partners in humanitarian and development research and practice, though RLRH affiliates welcome making connections in other fields. To date, 45 placements have been completed or are currently ongoing with (I)NGOs, think tanks, research groups, universities, and other influential entities.