Who We Are
The Forced Migration & Displacement Research Hub is an academic initiative dedicated to advancing scholarship and the practical application of international refugee law. With the ever-broadening refugee crisis that is palpable the world over, the need for a regional forced migration and displacement research centre is ever-present. It is this lacuna that the Forced Migration & Displacement Research Hub seeks to fill. A profound gap exists between the historical practice of hosting displaced populations and the limited academic and professional exploration of forced migration. This Hub addresses the regional deficit of institutions offering formal education in forced migration studies and the need for more refugee law practice, further exacerbated by the continual decline in legislative and policy frameworks concerning displaced persons. By focusing on the localisation of knowledge production and proactive responses to forced displacement, the Hub aspires to contribute meaningfully to legislative and policy reforms, enhancing outcomes for individual cases and influencing broader regional and national policy development.
Mission
Vision
Values
The Hub will seek to bolster an ethos of the following virtuous, modern, and thoughtful values:
- Excellence: Dedication to producing rigorous, high-quality research and maintaining the highest professional standards.
- Compassion: Empathy and understanding should be prioritized in research and interactions, ensuring the dignity and humanity of displaced populations are at the forefront.
- Innovation: Driving forward-thinking, multidisciplinary approaches that generate novel solutions to complex challenges related to forced migration and displacement.
- Advocacy for Justice: Committed to upholding and advancing the rights of displaced individuals, promoting fair and equitable treatment in law and policy.
- Social Impact: Engaging in research and initiatives that contribute positively to society, influencing meaningful policy changes that improve the lives of displaced communities.
- Collaboration: Fostering a cooperative environment where experts, stakeholders, and communities work together to achieve common goals and shared success.
- Integrity: Ensuring all research and actions are conducted with transparency, honesty, and ethical accountability.
What We Do
The Forced Migration & Displacement Research Hub is committed to conducting high-quality, interdisciplinary research that addresses pressing issues related to forced migration and displacement.
The Hub’s key research areas include:
- International Refugee Law and Policy: Analysing and developing legal frameworks to strengthen the protection of displaced persons and ensure adherence to international standards.
- Legislative and Policy Development: Examining regional and national legislative responses to forced migration and advocating for reforms that support the rights and welfare of displaced communities.
- Localisation of Knowledge: With a Pan-African focus, the Hub will promote locally driven research and solutions that reflect regional contexts and contribute to the body of knowledge on forced migration. This is especially important in a region with a burgeoning displaced persons framework.
The Hub provides specialized training programs designed to build the expertise of legal practitioners, policymakers, and stakeholders involved in forced migration and refugee law. These include workshops, seminars, and executive education programs tailored to enhance the skills and knowledge necessary for effective advocacy and policy implementation.
The Hub actively engages with policymakers, government agencies, international organisations, and civil society to provide evidence-based policy recommendations. By organising policy dialogues, roundtables, and workshops, the Hub fosters collaboration and the exchange of best practices to drive improvements in handling forced migration and displacement issues.
The Hub is dedicated to raising public awareness and understanding of forced migration issues. While those in the field are aware of displaced persons, the wider public appears more apathetic to their plight. Through public lectures, community engagement, media initiatives, and outreach activities, the Hub disseminates its research findings and informs public discourse. It also uses publications, media appearances, and interactive public forums to share insights and advocate for policy change.
Strategic Pillars & Focus Areas
The Hub’s primary objective is to produce policy-oriented research and in-depth legal analysis that address the multifaceted issues of forced migration and displacement. The Hub emphasises research that blends legal, social, and policy perspectives to understand the challenges facing displaced populations comprehensively. Equally important, flowing from the preceding, is producing palatable material for the public. That said, the following would be areas of interest.
- International Refugee Law: Developing insights and proposals for strengthening legal frameworks to protect the rights of displaced persons.
- Policy and Legislative Analysis: Critically assessing existing regional and national policies to propose reforms that align with international standards.
- Local and Regional Knowledge Production: Promoting research grounded in local contexts and contributing to a robust, globally relevant discourse.
Therefore, the following output goals would be achieved:
- Enhancing the publication of impactful research findings.
- Supporting interdisciplinary projects that contribute to the research ecosystem.
- Establishing a reputation as a high-performing research entity that elevates the Hub’s visibility and influence.
The Hub is committed to equipping legal professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders with the knowledge and tools necessary for effective engagement with forced migration issues. Through tailored training programs and educational workshops, the Hub seeks to foster expertise that translates into practice and policy improvements to achieve the following objectives:
- Designing evidence-based training programs that enhance the competency of those involved in refugee law and policy.
- Collaborating with academic and professional institutions to deliver interdisciplinary training that spans relevant fields such as human rights, international law, and policy development.
- Promoting experiential learning through internships, research assistantships, and policy development exercises.
If the preceding is achieved, the following advantageous benefits may arise:
- Expansion of training programs to reach broader audiences, including government officials and civil society.
- Strengthening partnerships with local and international institutions for collaborative training initiatives.
The Hub’s critical focus is to bridge the gap between research and policy by actively engaging with stakeholders to influence legislative and policy decisions. The Hub fosters dialogue and partnerships and ensures that research findings translate into practical policy recommendations.
The following strategies shall be employed to achieve holistic success in engaging advocacy and engagement:
- Organising policy dialogues, workshops, and roundtables to facilitate the exchange of ideas and foster partnerships.
- Providing evidence-based policy briefs and consultations to government agencies, NGOs, and international bodies.
- Collaborating with civil society organisations to advocate for improved legislation and policy frameworks.
The Hub prioritises forming and nurturing partnerships within and beyond the Strathmore sphere to
amplify its impact and achieve its mission.
- Internal Collaborations: Partnering with other university centres, such as SCLPG, SDRC, and other departments, to leverage resources and interdisciplinary expertise. Involving faculty and students in ongoing research projects and policy advocacy efforts.
- External Collaborations: Establishing strategic alliances with global academic institutions for collaborative
research and knowledge exchange. Partnering with government ministries, international organisations, NGOs, and private sector stakeholders to conduct joint research and offer capacity-building programs.
A strong emphasis on public outreach allows the Hub to disseminate knowledge and engage broader audiences. Through public lectures, media engagements, and community outreach programs, the Hub seeks to increase public understanding of forced migration’s challenges and enhance engagement and collaboration with the public to build a more informed and supportive community for displaced persons.
Team
Role
The Director provides strategic leadership and oversees the hub’s overall management and administration. This position involves supervising research initiatives, programs, and partnerships, ensuring alignment with the Hub’s mission and objectives, and representing the Hub in academic and public forums.
Functions
- Lead the strategic planning and execution of the Hub’s vision.
- Oversee the development and implementation of research and policy initiatives.
- Cultivate partnerships and collaborations with academic, governmental, and civil society stakeholders.
- Secure funding and manage resource allocation for the Hub’s activities.
- Act as the primary spokesperson and advocate for the Hub’s mission.
Role
The Hub Manager is responsible for the Hub’s day-to-day operational management and ensures administrative and logistical efficiency.
Functions:
- Manage daily administrative operations and maintain smooth functionality.
- Oversee budgeting, financial reporting, and allocation of resources.
- Coordinate activities across various units within the Hub.
- Implement and monitor operational procedures and policies.
- Assist the Director in organising events, workshops, and training sessions.
Role
Senior Research Fellows lead major research projects, head thematic research hubs and mentor junior members. Junior Research Fellows support and collaborate on significant research within the Hub’s focus areas, contributing to thought leadership and academic discourse.
Functions
- Conduct high-quality, impactful research in the Hub’s core areas of forced migration and displacement.
- Publish findings in reputable academic journals and policy platforms.
- Guide and mentor research assistants and interns.
- Participate in international conferences, workshops, and public engagements.
- Draft research proposals and seek funding for new initiatives.
Role
Research Assistants support Research Fellows by helping with data collection, analysis, and publication. They may also serve as graduate assistants, contributing significantly to the Hub’s research output.
Functions:
- Aid in designing and conducting research studies and assist in data analysis.
- Draft reports and policy briefs and contribute to academic publications.
- Help organise and coordinate events and workshops.
- Liaise with stakeholders and partners for collaborative research projects.
Role
Interns provide essential support across different functions, gaining hands-on experience in refugee law, policy research, and operational activities. They can be attached to specific units but may assist in other areas.
Functions
- Support research activities by conducting literature reviews, data collection, and preparing materials.
- Assist with administrative tasks, event planning, and coordination.
- Contribute to communication efforts, such as preparing content for the Hub’s website and social media.
- Engage in training programs to develop practical skills and insight into forced migration and displacement.
- Participate in specific projects under the guidance of senior staff, offering new perspectives and assistance.
Have Questions or Need Assistance?
Send us a message using the form, or email us directly at fmdrh@strathmore.edu.
We’ll get back to you as soon as possible!
Contact Us