Conference Programme

Here you can find the Conference Programme as well as the Conference Programme Folder

Keynote Speaker Linda Morrice

Professor of Education at the University of Sussex (UK)

Where is the hope? Post-colonial logics and racialised borders in refugee access to Higher Education 

In the context of ever-increasing numbers of forcible displaced people, the global community has come together with declarations and promises of action, for example, the Global Compact for Refugees, UNHCR’s target of 15% of refugees accessing higher and tertiary education by 2030, and Sustainable Development Goal 4 which promises lifelong learning for all, including refugees.  But these promises are largely devolved to the nation state to deliver, and under the framework of shared responsibility wealthier countries in the global north are being asked to step up and take on more responsibility. This comes at a time of growth in right wing and populist movements which have led to increasing Islamophobia, antisemitism, and anti-Black racism, alongside a permanently hostile environment towards migrants and especially people seeking asylum. In this keynote I use the lenses of post-colonialism and racialised borders to explore how these forces are shaping access to Europe and educational opportunities for different groups of refugees. In particular, I trace the malleability of the higher education border in the UK in relation to some refugee groups, while constructed others as ineligible and excludable. In doing so I highlight the mechanisms through which race is used to curtail and control access to higher education while appearing to be racially-neutral.

Linda Morrice is Professor of Education at the University of Sussex. She has researched and published widely on refugee education in both the global north and global south. She has particular interest in access and participation in tertiary and higher education, and issues of social integration and belonging. She was co-director of the Centre for International Education (2021-2024) and is a founding member of the University of Sanctuary group at Sussex. Her current research project is The role of digital technology in social networks and wellbeing of unaccompanied young refugees (2024-2027), funded by the UKRI.

Here you can find the Book of Abstracts

Conference Dinner and Graz Walking Tour

Social Activities: here you find further information how to get there!

Join us for an evening of great food and networking at the conference dinner on Thursday, May 22nd.

Price: 30€ - to be paid at the conference (drinks not included in the price). Registration must be made in advance please (see below), as we need to arrange it with the restaurant.

As well, we are planning a guided walking tour (for free) as a social activity after the conference on Friday, May 23rd, to give attendees the chance to explore our beautiful city – Graz.

Please let us know if you would like to attend the conference dinner and/or the walking tour by answering the survey until April 21st 2025. We also ask you to select your meal option (vegetarian/vegan options are available): 

Registration Conference Dinner and Walking Tour

Please note registration for the Conference Dinner is a two-step process. First, register for the Conference Dinner. You will then receive another email asking you to select the menu for the conference dinner via the link provided. In this second step you can choose whether you would like to take part in the Walking Tour! 

We kindly ask for your understanding that the meal registration cannot be canceled after April 20th 2025.