What can the history of refugee labour mobility tell us about who gets access to third-country resettlement pathways today?

In a new blog post publishes in , Dr. Rachel McNally examines the history of economic immigration as a pathway for refugees between 1951 and 2011, highlighting an often-overlooked dimension of this history: the exclusion of refugees with disabilities.

The post New Blog Post: Rethinking Labour Mobility and Refugee Resettlement appeared first on LERRN: The Local Engagement Refugee Research Network.

We are pleased to share a newly published article by Merve Erdilmen in . The article examines how Syrian women and queer refugees understand and engage with feminism, and how refugee-led organizations in TĂĽrkiye address gender-based inequalities in access to rights and services.

Drawing on 53 in-depth interviews with women and LGBTI+ members of refugee-led organizations, the article explores the diverse ways refugees approach feminism and how these approaches shape their efforts to advance gender equality and build solidarity across refugee and non-refugee communities.

The article introduces the concept of “subtle solidarity practices” to describe strategies used by refugee-led organizations to advance gender equality while navigating restrictive political environments, community resistance, and growing opposition to feminist and pro-migrant alliances.

Erdilmen, M. (2026). Rethinking feminist alliances: avoiding feminism, but advancing gender equality within refugee communities? International Feminist Journal of Politics, 1–23.

The post New Publication: Rethinking Feminist Alliances: Avoiding Feminism, but Advancing Gender Equality Within Refugee Communities? appeared first on LERRN: The Local Engagement Refugee Research Network.

This year, the program is also opening applications to refugee and displaced students residing in Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt, or Tunisia who have experienced interruptions to their educational trajectories due to war, conflict, displacement, or forced migration.

For more information regarding the program eligibility and how to apply, please click

The post Fellowship Opportunity: “New Generation of Social Scientists in the Arab Region” Program appeared first on LERRN: The Local Engagement Refugee Research Network.

Please join us in congratulating LERRN researchers, Dr. Amanda Klassen and Dr. Rachel McNally, who were awarded Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in Political Science at last week’s convocation ceremony.

Amanda’s dissertation, titled, “A Feminist Approach to the Study of Norm Implementation in the Global Refugee Regime”, uses a feminist geopolitical approach to examine the emergence and local implementation of global norms relating to the protection of refugee women and girls. Her work helps to explain power dynamics at different spaces, scales, and timeframes by drawing on non-Western perspectives and decentering the state.

Rachel’s dissertation, titled, “Advocating for Admission: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Diplomacy on Behalf of Refugees with Disabilities, 1951-2011”, draws on archival documents to examine how UNHCR strategically and persistently advocated for the resettlement of refugees with disabilities from 1951 to 2011. She was also awarded the Senate Medal for Outstanding Academic Achievement.

Both thesis projects were supervised by Dr. James Milner, Project Director of LERRN.

Beyond their academic achievements, Amanda and Rachel have both made invaluable contributions to LERRN. Over the years, they have supported numerous LERRN research, training and knowledge mobilization initiatives – the publication of LERRN’s Working Papers Series, conducted and published research studies, and taken on leadership roles in LERRN’s Cross-Cultural Fieldwork Training course. Their work has left an enduring impact on the project, and we look forward to following their continued contributions to research, policy, and practice in the years ahead.

Reflecting on their time with LERRN, Rachel and Amanda shared:

Rachel will be beginning a new position as the Research Coordinator for , a SSHRC-funded Partnership Grant at the University of Ottawa.

As they embark on new roles and opportunities, we wish them continued success in all their future endeavors.

Congratulations, Amanda and Rachel!

The post Congratulations to PhD Graduates Amanda Klassen and Rachel McNally! appeared first on LERRN: The Local Engagement Refugee Research Network.

Please join us in congratulating Jarukson Jeevakumar, who was awarded a bachelor’s degree in Media Production and Design last week at ĐÓ°ÉÔ­´´â€™s convocation ceremony. Jarukson was also a recipient of the Senate Medal for Outstanding Academic Achievement.

Since 2022, Jarukson has been an integral part of LERRN’s Communications Team as a Digital Communications and Multimedia Project Coordinator. His talent for photography and video production has supported countless LERRN initiatives, from documenting events and webinars to creating engaging multimedia content that showcase LERRN’s research, partnerships, and impact.

This summer, Jarukson will starting a new position with the Liberal Research Bureau as part of their Digital Creative Media team. We wish you all the best in this exciting next chapter and look forward to celebrating your future achievements.

Congratulations, Jarukson!

The post Congratulations to BMPD Graduate Jarukson Jeevakumar! appeared first on LERRN: The Local Engagement Refugee Research Network.

On May 20, 2026, the Local Engagement Refugee Research Network (LERRN) hosted a virtual launch of the edited volume , which explores Canada’s role in responding to global displacement and advancing collective action for refugee protection. The book was published by McGill–Queen’s University Press as part of . 

Gathering prominent voices in the field, the volume explores Canada’s engagement across regional and global contexts and its involvement with international responses to displacement. Through insights on diplomacy, regional engagement, and resettlement initiatives, it reflects on the relationship between Canada’s international leadership and its domestic practices, offering a nuanced account that moves beyond simplistic narratives of benevolence. 

The webinar brought together over 80 participants globally, who were joined by the book’s three co-editors and seven of its 23 contributors: Delphine Nakache, James Milner, Nathan Benson, Adele Garnier, Alice Nah, Ania Kwadrans, Andrew Thompson, Dominique Marshall, Jennifer M. Hyndman, and Johanna Reynolds. The panel was also joined by the Honourable Bob Rae, Canada’s Former Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations (2020-2025).   

Across the 90-minute discussion, the authors highlighted key findings and arguments of their respective chapters, and also reflected on their hopes for the impact of this publication in policy spheres, educational spaces, and advocacy initiatives. The speakers explored topics such as Canada’s historical engagement with refugee protection, the gap between the country’s international reputation and its domestic practices, and concrete actions that Canada can take to redefine leadership globally. In bringing attention to areas in which Canada can strengthen its role in the regime, the authors emphasized the importance of multi-sectoral partnerships, meaningful participation, and sustained engagement in today’s world. 

As the international community celebrates the 75^th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention, this book arrives at a pivotal moment in history amid mounting global challenges including record displacement, collapsing funding for UN agencies and programs, and a growing trend of states retreating from international refugee commitments. While Canada continues to be a leader in the regime throughout these shifting priorities, international solidarity is a necessity. This publication reminds audiences that positive change is a product of collective action and calls on other states to lead in a manner that fosters local accountability, uplifts civil society, and brings all stakeholders to the forefront of global collaboration. 

To reserve your copy of Canada in the Global Refugee Regime, visit .

Related blog post here:

Watch the full video recording of the webinar here:

This report was prepared by Lilly Neang, LERRN Knowledge Mobilization Officer and Project Editor-in-Chief (EiC).

The post Book Launch: Canada in the Global Refugee Regime – Webinar Event Report appeared first on LERRN: The Local Engagement Refugee Research Network.

This summer, the  project is hosting five regional workshops in Amman, Bangkok, Bogota, Dakar, and Nairobi. The workshops are designed for archivists, researchers, NGOs, community organizations, and anyone who is interested to learn about document management, preservation, digitization, and archiving.

To register, send email to archive@keyaidconsulting.com or connect on .

Application Deadline: 15 June 2026

To learn more, view the Regional Events Concept Note and Agenda.

Regional Events Concept Note and Agenda

Humanitarian Archives Emergency

The post Participatory Sense-Making Workshop on Humanitarian Archives, Records & Datasets appeared first on LERRN: The Local Engagement Refugee Research Network.

LERRN is thrilled to share the news that Deo Mwapinga, LERRN Researcher and PhD graduate, has recently published an article in .

Titled ““, this article explores the notable differences between the lived experience of naturalized refugees from Rwanda and Burundi as citizens of Tanzania. Taking from fieldwork conducted in Tanzania and extensive archival research in both Tanzania and Geneva, Switzerland, Mwapinga attempts to explain the variations of these two groups’ experiences in Tanzania.

This article situates itself in the interdisciplinary field of refugee and forced migration studies, specifically the literature that considers local integration into a host country as a durable solution for refugees.

The post New Journal Article by Deo Mwapinga on Politics of Solutions in Tanzania appeared first on LERRN: The Local Engagement Refugee Research Network.

On behalf of Christina Clark-Kazak

PROJECT: UnborderED Knowledge is an SSHRC-funded research project. This bilingual, interdisciplinary, pan-Canadian partnership aims to widen, deepen and institutionalize access to higher education, research and training opportunities to bridge the gap between the talents of students and researchers with lived experiences of forced migration, and opportunities in Canadian research communities and labour markets.

POSITION TITLE:  Postdoctoral Fellowship in Access to Higher Education for Displaced Students at Canadian Postsecondary Institutions 

AREA: Forced Displacement, Social Sciences, Higher Education, Student Refugee Program 

SUPERVISION: Co-supervised by Co-investigators at WUSC (World University Service of Canada) and the University of Ottawa

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

EXPECTED START DATE: August 31, 2026

The post Postdoctoral Fellowship Opportunity appeared first on LERRN: The Local Engagement Refugee Research Network.

A new episode 4.16 of Battle Rhythm is now available. The podcast explores the role of academic voices in public information spaces and the ways scholars can contribute to public debate and policy discussions.

In this episode, co-host Steve Saideman speaks with James Milner, Director of the Local Engagement Refugee Research Network (LERRN). Their conversation examines the current state of the global refugee regime and discusses how LERRN and its partners are working to support the development of more effective, evidence-based solutions for and with refugees.

Listen to the full episode here:

The post New Battle Rhythm podcast episode featuring LERRN appeared first on LERRN: The Local Engagement Refugee Research Network.