The impact of anti-terrorism measures: perceptions and experiences among refugee communities
This qualitative research project, funded by Oxfam UK, explored awareness and perceptions of anti-terrorism measures among different refugee/asylum seeker communities. Ten focus groups were held across Britain, with a total of 67 participants from refugee and asylum seeking communities. The research explored particpants awareness, opinions, feelings and experiences in relation to anti-terrorism measures and discourse.
Prisoners of terrorism? The impact of anti-terrorism measures on refugess and asylum seekers in Britains [February 2007]
Inclusive secondary schools
[April 2005 - June 2008]
Inclusive Secondary Schools is a three-year action research project, funded by the KPMG Foundation, which works across four English regions. The project seeks to identify good practice and strategies for increasing the inclusion of asylum seeking and refugee children, and their parents and carers, in secondary education.
This project examines and test ways to strengthen the involvement of parents/carers and refugee community organisations in refugee children's schooling. The first phase of the multi-method research will included a surveys and in-depth interviews, some of which were carried out by community researchers. The second phase of the project established pilot partnerships between schools and refugee community/supporting organisations, with a view to addressing factors that impact on parental/carer involvement and developing good practice. One of the project's outputs will be a toolkit for schools and RCOs for increasing involvement in refugee children's education.
See also: Daring to dream: Raising the achievement of 14 to 16 year old asylum-seeking and refugee children and young people [October 2005]
Refugees' experiences of integration
[November 2005 - November 2007]
This two year qualitative research study, undertaken in partnership with the University of Birmingham, examined how refugees experienced the multi-layered processes of integration into British society. The aim of the research was to understand how different factors, such as location and length of settlement, gender, ethnic/cultural identity, age and family status, affect refugees' experiences of integration.
Empirical data was gathered in 130 in-depth interviews with refugees in Haringey and Dudley, carried out by refugee researchers. The interviews addressed intersecting processes of integration (legal, statutory, functional and social) and explored how refugees experienced the obstacles to, and factors facilitating, their integration. The key focus of the research was on refugees' perceptions of how informal as well as formal networks and structures contributed to their integration.
Refugees’ experiences of integration research report and executive summary [October 2007]
See also: Refugee experiences of integration: policy related findings on employment, ESOL and vocational training [November 2007]
Older refugees programme
[2005-2007]
The Refugee Council is a partner in the Older Refugees Programme led by Age Concern and funded by the Lloyds TSB Foundation. This research and policy initiative aimed to increase the inclusion of older refugees at all levels of society by making their voices heard in policy-making and service delivery.
The programme used qualitative and gender-sensitive research methods to examine the concerns, needs and capabilities of older refugees. In addition to interviews with individuals, participatory 'listening events' will engage older refugees collectively. The programme identified gaps in policy and service delivery, explore solutions and raised awareness among policy-makers and service providers of the rights and needs of older refugees.
See also: A working paper for the older refugees programme – a literature review and interviews with refugees [January 2008]
