The University of Gloucestershire is launching a new research group on 6 March 2026 to improve support for refugees in Gloucester, Gloucestershire. Known as the Voices for Rights and Refuge Research Network, the project will coincide with University Refugee Week, which begins on 2 March 2026. The work aims to bring together experts and local people to better understand the challenges faced by those who have been forced to leave their homes.
Dr Kristina Ilieva, Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Susie Olczak, Lecturer in Fine Art, will lead the network to study how people experience moving to a new country and how they are viewed by the public. The university has already carried out similar work on the lives of women in Ugandan settlement communities and the employment insecurity migrants face in low-wage employment. This new effort will focus on creating a culture of welcome through both academic study and public activity.
The research aims to provide evidence that could help the Gloucester City Council and local charities make better decisions about how they deliver their services. As of September 2025, there were 2,790 refugees or asylum seekers living in Gloucestershire who were entitled to support. The university intends for these findings to lead to practical recommendations for local policy.
Local organisations like Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers are partners in the university’s efforts to help those seeking sanctuary. Residents will be able to get involved by attending public talks, book displays, and informal discussions about the experiences of refugees. These events are designed to bring academics, charities, and the community together to share ideas.
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