Refugee Week 2024

Explore remarkable narratives from our faculty, students, and graduates:

Discover the incredible journey of Oksana, a resilient PhD student who fled the war in Ukraine and found a new academic home in Edinburgh. From overcoming immense challenges to organising a vibrant Ukrainian Week, her story is a testament to strength and cultural connection.

This Refugee Week we’re proud to highlight our Community Access to Rooms initiative, offering local community groups the opportunity to hire University spaces at no cost when not in use for learning, teaching, and research. One organisation benefiting from this initiative is The Welcoming, a charity dedicated to supporting asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants in Edinburgh.

Learn more about how The Welcoming are using University spaces to teach English, and the impact this is having on our community:

Meet Afraa, a recent Neuroscience grad who's making a difference with the Syrian Teenage Tutoring and Education Programme, run by our students, Syrian community coordinators and the University Chaplaincy. Inspired by the resilience of Syrian refugees, Afraa mentors teens, bridging educational gaps and fostering community inclusion.

At 15, Ahmad arrived in Edinburgh after fleeing Syria, navigating a new culture and language with the help of community programs like Syrian Futures and Syrian Teenager Tutoring and Education Programme at the University.

From Syria to Scotland, Nadin’s journey is a powerful story of resilience and community building. As the Education Beyond Borders Programme Manager at the University, Nadin has transformed her own experiences into a mission to support others. Find out how she fosters education and community spirit for displaced individuals.

STAR (Student Action for Refugees) is a UK-wide network of student societies volunteering and campaigning for and with refugees. One of STAR Edinburgh’s main aims is to support existing charities and organisations in the city that work with refugees and asylum seekers. Edinburgh's STAR President, Max Altara, shares what the society has been up to over the past year.

Refugee Week's Simple Acts are everyday actions we can all do to stand with refugees and make new connections in our communities.

· Watch a film

· Listen and share

· Read a book

· Send a message

· Have a chat

· Share a dish

· Walk together

· Grow your compassion

· Use your platform

· Join the movement

Explore remarkable narratives from our faculty, students, and graduates, and discover our events and resources showcasing our engagement in Refugee Week throughout past years.