Seeking Sanctuary in Higher Education: Protection
´Seeking Sanctuary in Higher Education’ is a project funded by the University of Sheffield’s ONE University initiative. This project was designed to meet Objective (2), which was identified during the ‘(Re) imagining the Higher Education Border’ research project: ‘To increase awareness and understanding of both the trauma and strategies to mitigate it, experienced by people seeking sanctuary, in the process of accessing and participating in higher education’.
The project produced a series of comic strips and animations that sought to communicate through the three pillars of sanctuary (access - welcome - protection):
- Why opportunities to study and work in higher education are so challenging to access, yet play a vital role in the lives of people seeking sanctuary, and;
- How staff and students can take individual and collective action to ensure that universities are safe and welcoming places for people seeking sanctuary.
Protection
The Protection pillar emphasises the need to safeguard the wellbeing of forced migrant students, and realise the responsibility that lies beyond simply granting access. Sanctuary seekers often face fragile immigration statuses, financial instability, trauma, and external threats like detention or destitution.
Protection is not just reactive but proactive, it involves advocating for students’ rights, safety, and dignity throughout their academic journey. Practical steps for universities include: flexibility and understanding for students who have legal commitments towards their immigration case, offering free, confidential legal advice; ensuring continued enrollment despite immigration changes; providing hardship funds and emergency housing, and training staff in trauma-informed care. Universities are also encouraged to advocate nationally for sanctuary seekers' rights.
Protection requires universities to move beyond neutrality, taking an active stand against injustice and unfair systems. Solidarity means not just welcoming students but defending them, building an environment where marginalised students are supported, protected, and empowered to challenge and shape the institutions they belong to.
Credits
Project Leads
- Dr Rebecca Murray, Lecturer in Sociological Studies at the University of Sheffield - Primary Investigator
- Dr Patricia Nabuco Martuscelli, Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Sheffield - Co-investigator
Research Associates
- Angel Nakhle
- Enioluwada Oluwajaba
REHAB Researchers
- Abdullah
- Abdulrahman
- Arooba
- Aysha
- Daniel
- Maryam
- Sam
- Tamana
Creative Team
- Susana Vinolo: Illustrator
- Dominic Foster: Creative Editor
