University of Sanctuary

Dr Alexander Ornella and Dr Bev Orton in conversation with Lee Karen Stow.

Lee Karen Stow is a PhD student at the University of Hull and an award-winning photographer and visual artist who seeks to find new and innovative ways of allowing people to share their stories in authentic ways. Lee has worked with those who have sought sanctuary, and has a strong commitment to breaking down barriers in communication and understanding.

Food for Thought, an online exhibition by Lee Karen Stow, explores the stories of members of the Hull Refugee Council Women’s Group as they prepare traditional dishes from their home countries.

Dr Alexander Ornella is Programme Director for Sociology and a Senior Lecturer in Religion and Dr Bev Orton is a Lecturer in Criminology and Sociology at the University of Hull.

Professor Robert Dover in conversation with Dr Kelly Staples, University of Leicester.

In this episode, we explore the international politics of sanctuary, the gaps between academic, media and public perceptions, and how scholars should seek to represent the authentic and lived experiences of those seeking sanctuary.

Dr Kelly Staples is Associate Professor in International Relations at the University of Leicester whose research focuses on asylum, statelessness and sanctuary. Professor Robert Dover is Professor of Criminology, specialising in Intelligence and Security, and Head of the Department of Criminology and Sociology at the University of Hull.

To read more about the topics discussed in this episode:

Staples, K. (2019). ‘The problem with refugees’: international protection and the limits to solidarity. International Politics, 56, 158–174.

Staples, K. (2013). Fragile states, collective identities and forced migration. Forced Migration Review, 43, 20–21.

Professor Robert Dover in conversation with Professor Niaz Shah

The third episode in our Voices of Sanctuary series explores the fundamentals of refugee law, the rights and obligations on those seeking asylum, the international political perspective and the pushback against the norms of asylum and refuge.

Professor Niaz Shah is Professor in Law at the University of Hull and also practices as a human rights and asylum barrister. Professor Robert Dover is Professor of Criminology, specialising in Intelligence and Security, and Head of the Department of Criminology and Sociology at the University of Hull.

Professor Robert Dover in conversation with Robert Richardson

The fourth in a mini series of podcasts to mark Refugee Week 2021 – this episode sees University of Hull Professor Robert Dover chat to Robert Richardson, Head of the Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Team at the National Crime Agency. The NCA has been described by many as ‘the UK’s FBI,’ as its remit is national rather than locally defined, and because it aims to deal with serious and organised criminality.

The podcast offers a rare opportunity to hear a serving and senior member of the NCA discussing their role in modern slavery and human trafficking, an all too common outcome for those seeking sanctuary. The discussion explores the role of the NCA in supporting victims, how some refugees fall into the hands of gang masters and organised criminals, and how the public can help to reduce the numbers of victims through adopting some simple consumer behaviours.

Dr Nigel Shaw

Gathering the information for the music videos was often a distressing experience, hearing from the asylum seekers and refugees why they had to leave their homes, their journeys to the UK and Hull and their experiences of the UK’s ‘hostile environment’, designed to deter refugees from coming to the UK. However, it has also been an uplifting experience and a real pleasure to work with the asylum seekers on the songs, to see how talented and accomplished they are, and to meet and work with the volunteers and workers of the Open Doors project. I was also pleased to be able to provide some skills workshops at Open Doors, based on those that I normally offer for research students at the University.

My only regret is that the Covid-19 lockdown intervened in our work on a fourth song. But we will resume work to complete ‘We Are The Song’ once social distancing restrictions have eased sufficiently to allow us to record sanctuary seekers’ performances and their input to the music and visuals.

I was struck by the similarities between some of the experiences of refugees and asylum seekers and those highlighted in Stolen Lives, a previous collaboration between the University of Hull, the NASUWT and Paul Field which looked at human trafficking and modern and historic slavery. War and the uprooting of populations makes people so vulnerable to others’ greed and exploitation. I was honoured that the sanctuary seekers who participated in the project were willing to share with me their experiences of facing such vulnerability, and I pay tribute to their resilience and to the care and welcome they and the Open Doors staff and volunteers offer to others.

I hope the videos provide helpful prompts for reflection and discussion. We would welcome your thoughts and feedback on the project.

Nigel Shaw
Doctoral College
University of Hull
n.a.shaw@hull.ac.uk