A collaborative approach to supporting displaced scholars at Edinburgh

At the University of Edinburgh, we take immense pride in our global community, welcoming scholars from all corners of the world. For some of these scholars, however, their journey here is not just about academic ambition—it is a flight from conflict, political instability, or personal danger. For these displaced scholars, the challenges extend far beyond the academic environment.

EBB woman with book

As part of the University's commitment to understanding and improving the experience of displaced scholars, PhD student, Kirstin Sonne has spent six months working closely with Edinburgh Global, and specifically, Education Beyond Borders (EBB) in reviewing their work, exploring their commitment to supporting displaced scholars, and learning from the experiences of the Fellows and Scholars. 

This research allowed Kirstin to explore the University of Edinburgh’s longstanding commitment to providing sanctuary to students and scholars affected by forced migration and will be invaluable for continuing to shape the University’s approach to supporting scholars affected by forced migration. 

A research journey into refugee scholars’ lives 

Kirstin’s research initially had a broad remit, exploring the University’s historical connections with displaced individuals, including looking into stories of refugees within the University archives. While much was uncovered about the University’s contributions during WWII and its early advocacy efforts, the research highlighted the challenges in finding consistent engagement with displaced people from earlier periods. There were some efforts, particularly around the time that the Council for At-Risk-Academics (Cara) was founded in 1933, and notable student-led initiatives for refugees in the decades following WWII, such as those supporting Hungarian refugees in the 1950s, and Rwandan refugees in the 1990s.  

However, more research would be needed to fully understand the University’s historical involvement with refugee scholars. In her initial presentation, Kirstin shared these historical findings, shedding light on the University’s ongoing engagement with these issues, while also acknowledging the gaps that remain in the archive. 

More recently, Kirstin focused her research on interviewing recent graduates of the Cara Fellowship Programme from across Scotland. In partnership with universities, including the University of Edinburgh, Cara offers this fellowship to displaced academics, providing them with the opportunity to continue their scholarly work at the University. Alongside this, Kirstin also interviewed individuals involved in other relevant programmes at the University, such as the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH) programme for academics and artists-at-risk, and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, to gain a broader understanding of the support available to displaced scholars. Additionally, she conducted a small-scale, Scotland wide survey to uncover the specific needs and challenges faced by displaced scholars today, drawing insights from those who have directly experienced these programmes. 

A Ukrainian academic reflected, "During the Soviet period, a lot of our research was invisible to the world... People had no idea what we were studying." Thanks to the Cara fellowship, she was able to share her ideas with researchers in the UK and beyond, making academic life "a little bit more diverse." 

The Cara Fellowship has been instrumental in advancing my academic career. Cara provided essential support to me and my family, enabling us to come to the UK after escaping Afghanistan during the political upheaval in 2021. Cara’s support was invaluable in securing a fellowship at one of the UK’s leading universities, and they continued to support me as I transitioned into my PhD program. Without Cara’s assistance, I would not have been able to simultaneously support my family and work toward a PhD.

Cara Fellow

Tailored support: A crucial finding 

Through these interviews and surveys, Kirstin uncovered a range of voices and experiences, all tied together by one clear theme: the need for tailored support. One key area of concern was housing, which emerged as a significant challenge for displaced scholars, many of whom arrive with families. The search for adequate housing is not only time-consuming but also compounded by the isolation that scholars often feel, due to cultural, linguistic, and structural barriers. 

An academic who spoke with Kirstin shared that her toddler stopped speaking upon arriving in Scotland from Gaza. However, after finding a supportive nursery, her daughter began thriving, enabling the academic to focus on her research and progress in her career. 

Kirstin reflects, “It's not just about the intellectual work that these scholars bring; it's about ensuring they have the practical support to thrive.” 

For many at-risk academics, their supervisors and research teams become a surrogate family, offering support with accommodation, personal challenges, and academic matters in Scotland. As one participant expressed, "Very luckily, my supervisor very kindly supported me with everything, my academic work, but also with my personal and family affairs as well." Many continued to stay in touch with their supervisors even after their fellowships ended. 

The hidden contributions of displaced scholars 

While initiatives like the Cara Fellowship and IASH programme provide essential resources, Kirstin’s research highlights the barriers that still impede the full integration of displaced scholars into academic institutions. Temporary visa statuses, limited access to university resources, and the stress of resettling in a new country often isolate these scholars from their academic communities. Yet despite these obstacles, displaced scholars consistently demonstrate a desire to continue their academic work and contribute meaningfully to their fields. 

“There is a real opportunity for institutions to recognise and leverage the unique perspectives that displaced scholars bring to academia,” Kirstin explained. “Often, their work can enrich not just the university, but the local communities as well.”  

Raising awareness of structural barriers 

Kirstin’s research also sheds light on structural barriers that prevent displaced scholars from fully integrating into academic life. Many of these barriers stem from the fragmented nature of support systems for academics at-risk—often relying on individual goodwill rather than cohesive institutional strategies. 

“Supporting refugees is not just about providing a safe place for them to live or work temporarily. It’s about fostering a long-term, sustainable environment where they can fully contribute to their new academic community,” Kirstin said. 

Her findings suggest that a more nuanced approach to support could make a significant difference, particularly for those with families or those coming as postdoctoral researchers, who often face even greater pressures due to the temporary nature of their roles. 

The road ahead: impact and awareness 

Although this important research is still ongoing, the insights already gathered hold the promise of creating meaningful change. Not only will these findings contribute to several ongoing initiatives to support displaced scholars, but they will also raise awareness within the academic community about the unique challenges displaced scholars face. 

Kirstin is hopeful that future collaborations between universities and between different initiatives within the University of Edinburgh, will allow for the sharing of best practices, focusing on institutionalising support systems for displaced scholars, and raising broader awareness of their needs. 

The University of Edinburgh continues to refine its approach to supporting displaced scholars, maintaining its position as a leader in fostering an inclusive and diverse academic environment. By doing so, we are not only providing a sanctuary for scholars who have faced extraordinary challenges, but also enriching our University, our city, and the global academic community. 

Kirstin’s report is extremely valuable in identifying the specific needs of our at-risk academics and displaced scholars and highlighting the gaps in support.  The Education Beyond Borders team is working closely with colleagues across the University, as well as specialist external organisations and charities within our community, to ensure our Cara fellows and displaced students have everything they need for them and their families to really thrive while they are here at the University of Edinburgh.

It is a great advantage to have this support now all in one place within Education Beyond Borders, and we are working to communicate this widely across the University so that other colleagues know that they can advise students/fellows to come to us for more tailored help should they need it.

Josie Pilcher Head of Education Beyond Borders

About Kirstin Sonne: 

PhD student Kirstin Sonne, based in the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, specialises in politics with a focus on migration. Her deep interest in supporting displaced scholars stems from both her academic background and professional experience. Kirstin holds a master's degree in education and has worked with NGOs in both the education and refugee sectors, providing her with a well-rounded perspective on the challenges faced by scholars at risk. 

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