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 Türkiye 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.

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.

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.

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:

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Working Paper 30

By Zahra Moshref Javadi, York University

Jennifer Hyndman, York University 

Executive Summary

 This paper seeks to address how states use ‘vulnerability’ to select a small percentage of refugees from the millions worldwide for resettlement programs. Across asylum and resettlement contexts, vulnerability functions as a mechanism for categorization and prioritization. In asylum systems, it helps identify individuals requiring procedural accommodation or enhanced protection, whereas in resettlement, it assumes a more consequential role: distinguishing among millions of recognized refugees competing for a limited number of resettlement spaces. However, the very concept that underpins this prioritization, “vulnerability”, remains fluid, contested, and deeply shaped by institutional discretion. While vulnerability is invoked to justify procedural accommodation and enhanced protection, its changing definition and application significantly influence who ultimately gains access to one of the rarest durable solutions.

This study examines how vulnerability is defined and operationalized within UNHCR and Canada’s refugee resettlement system, and the extent to which these definitions reflect evolving policy priorities and discretionary decision-making.

Drawing on legal frameworks, policy instruments, and secondary literature, vulnerability is framed not merely as a humanitarian descriptor but as a governing tool embedded within selection processes. The aim is to clarify how vulnerability functions as both a selection criterion and a site of political interpretation in both UNHCR and Canadian resettlement practices.

The paper argues that vulnerability operates at the intersection of protection and selectivity. While it enables targeted assistance for those facing acute risk, its ambiguity and discretionary application risk producing ‘hierarchies of deservingness’ (Reynolds and Hyndman, 2026). Ensuring fairness and coherence in refugee resettlement requires greater transparency and conceptual clarity in how vulnerability is defined, interpreted, and operationalized.

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LERRN Working Paper No. 30: Analyzing Vulnerability in Canadian Refugee Resettlement

View the full LERRN Working Papers Series here:

DOI:

Citation: Javadi, Z. M., Hyndman, J. (2026). Analyzing Vulnerability in Canadian Refugee Resettlement. Local Engagement Refugee Research Network (LERRN).

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We are proud to announce that two LERRN colleagues have been selected as recipients of the 2026 Faculty of Public and Global Affairs (FPGA) Excellence Awards at �Ӱ�ԭ�� University. Each year, the FPGA recognizes outstanding individuals among its faculty and staff.

• Lama Mourad has been selected as the recipient of a 2026 FPGA Teaching Excellence Award
• James Milner has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 FPGA Community Engagement Excellence Award

Through experiential learning opportunities developed in collaboration with LERRN and the R-SEAT team (Refugees Seeking Equal Access at the Table), Lama Mourad has challenged graduate students to engage in contextual analysis and research on refugee protection through refugee-led initiatives. Students were tasked to produce real-world contextual reports and policy mapping on refugee leadership ecosystems, directly contributing to R-SEAT’s mission of advancing refugee inclusion and participation in global decision-making. Reflecting on the experience, one student shared:

Lama Mourad has also been recognized by receiving the 2025–26 Future Learning Innovation Fellowship for her exciting and innovative teaching project focused on immersive diplomacy and negotiation simulations using Artificial Intelligence (AI). Supported by Teaching and Learning Services, Dr. Mourad’s project will bring a fully immersive, AI-enhanced negotiation simulation into the classroom, giving students hands-on experience navigating the challenges of global diplomacy. Using adaptive AI “Deputies,” the simulation presents students with real-time prompts, counterarguments, and evolving scenarios that encourage critical thinking, collaboration, and strategic decision-making.

Through his leadership of the Local Engagement Refugee Research Network (LERRN), James Milner has been recognized for demonstrating the transformative impact of meaningful collaboration between academia, international organizations, and community leaders in advancing the rights and protections of forcibly displaced people. LERRN work has strengthened evidence-based research, advocacy, and policy development while centering the voices and experiences of displaced communities.

LERRN’s commitment to meaningful engagement and experiential learning has supported more than 200 graduate students and enabled 12 graduate students to conduct fieldwork on refugee issues in the Global South. Through a partnership agreement between UNHCR Canada and �Ӱ�ԭ�� University, more than 25 �Ӱ�ԭ�� students have also completed internships supporting UNHCR Canada’s efforts to find durable solutions for refugees while gaining valuable hands-on experience.

In collaboration with Refugees Seeking Equal Access at the Table (R-SEAT), LERRN also helped mobilize more than 20 �Ӱ�ԭ�� graduate students to provide research support and contributed to the development of an advocacy training program that has benefited more than 250 refugees participating in global meetings in Geneva.

Congratulations to Dr. Mourad and Dr. Milner on these well-deserved achievements!

The post LERRN Community Celebrates 2026 FPGA Excellence Award Winners appeared first on LERRN: The Local Engagement Refugee Research Network.

LERRN is thrilled to partner with Samuel Ojo Oloruntoba from the Institute of African Studies,  at the University of Ghana, the  at Makerere University in Uganda, and the  in South Africa to co-create knowledge that can serve as the basis for new policies and programs for cooperation and exchange in border areas. This new initiative is generously funded by Carnegie Corporation of New York ($1.8 million) and supported by �Ӱ�ԭ�� University.

Read more: 

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In this Blog Post, first published in May 2023, LERRN Co-Investigator Dr. Jeff Crisp answers crucial questions about refugee research outside of traditional academic spheres, and the impact it can have on humanitarian agencies and policy.

The post Refugee research, policy and practice: some frequently asked questions appeared first on LERRN: The Local Engagement Refugee Research Network.

LERRN extends its warmest congratulations to Rez Gardi as she begins her new role as Special Assistant to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

Rez’s courage, vision, wisdom and expertise will be such a tremendous asset to UNHCR as it works to navigate such a challenging moment in its history. Congratulations, Rez! We’re all cheering you on!

The post LERRN Congratulates Rez Gardi on Appointment as Special Assistant to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees appeared first on LERRN: The Local Engagement Refugee Research Network.