I feel as though I’ve asked myself those questions a lot recently! But I’ll try to outline some answers here, as a way of introducing my blog. My name is Laura and I am currently a first year PhD student, based in Cardiff. I have a background as a practitioner in Education. I have a PGCE in post-compulsory education, have taught English to Speakers of Other Languages (languages), and have worked as a teaching assistant in schools. I also have experience of various voluntary roles working with asylum seekers and refugees and the organisations that support them. My previous studies have included my BA in History, a MA in Human Rights and Social Change and a MSc in Social Science Research Methods.
I have funding from the Economic and Social Research Council for PhD research into education for asylum seekers and refugees (forced migrants) in Wales. I hope to explore the role that education plays for parents, in particular. Most forced migrants arrive in Wales, as the National Asylum Support Service (NASS) sends them here when they claim asylum. Those asylum seekers who need housing support are sent wherever it is decided that support should be given. However, there is evidence showing that a high proportion of asylum seekers leave Wales once leave to remain is granted and they are confirmed as refugees (Crawley and Crimes 2009). This suggests that there may be a problem with the settlement processes that needs to be addressed. My research will seek to see what role education and adult learning could play in strengthening integration of forced migrants in Wales. Education is usually known to play a key role in the creation (or expansion) of social networks, as both a key benefit and consequence (Jephcote et al. 2009). The settlement issues would suggest that’s not happening for asylum seekers in Wales. Therefore, specific research and evidence on Wales is much needed to better understand these issues and to help identify possible solutions.
I am hoping to answer the questions:
- How do parents who are seeking or have been granted asylum in Wales experience barriers to and benefits of any forms of adult education in Wales?
- How do such parents perceive that education may aid (or hinder) integration into life in Wales?
I plan to work in direct collaboration with voluntary and third sector organisations who support forced migrants. This should enable me to talk directly with forced migrants, listen to their stories and analyse the information they share about their experiences. I hope my research will address a gap in knowledge and to directly impact policy provision for local organisations and the Welsh Government.
If any of my work sounds interesting to you, please follow me here or on Twitter at @LShobiye to keep updated with how my work progresses.
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