The Sanctuary team from Queen’s University Belfast reflect on their journey towards Sanctuary.
In April 2024, Queen’s University took a big step by announcing our plans to seek University of Sanctuary recognition. Then, in June, during a truly special Civic Mission event, our Vice-Chancellor, Sir Prof Ian Greer, and Mehrshad Esfandiari, Chair of Belfast City of Sanctuary, signed the pledge, cementing our commitment to the vision of City of Sanctuary. Sanctuary is now an institutional priority we’re proud to embrace—not just a box to tick, but something we’re committed to embedding into our university’s culture.
We have launched an internal Sanctuary Operational Group, bringing together key individuals from across Queen’s University. This includes our Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility Directorate, academics, representatives from internal networks like iRise, African Scholars, and Racial Equity Champions, as well as Student Union officers, the adult education programme leader, and Sanctuary scholarship recipients. Since Sanctuary is a serious commitment for us that will continue for years to come, this group is not temporary but a permanent fixture. The group provides valuable input on needs and aspirations, which are then translated into action points. These points are passed through our governance structure to senior leadership, driving change in our university.
At Queen’s University, we see Sanctuary as much more than just scholarships. That’s why we’ve created a new website that acts as a hub for ‘all things Sanctuary.’ It highlights our journey and key milestones towards becoming a University of Sanctuary, showcases our internal networks, current scholarships and fellowships, and even some Sanctuary-related courses, including languages. You’ll also find info on Widening Participation pathways, our library support scheme, and the engaged research we’re doing around Sanctuary.
Our aim is that everyone in the asylum-seeking, refugee, and minority ethnic communities – whether they’re looking for a scholarship or not – can find something for them at Queen’s. Scholarships may suit a few, but older refugees, non-traditional learners, and those not pursuing a degree can still benefit. Whether it’s connecting with the local STAR group, joining a short course, participating in an arts project, using our rooms for free to organise community events, watching a film, or sending their kids to one of our Homework Clubs, there’s something for everyone (and more will come!).
Our journey started by looking in the mirror. There is a lot of Sanctuary engagement already well underway at the university – and has been for years. We reflected on what we had been doing, which academics, students, and staff were actively promoting Sanctuary through their research and projects, and how they were building lasting networks of friendship and trust. Sanctuary was already ingrained in our people’s actions – we just needed to give it the visibility and support it deserved to grow.
Over the last few years we’ve been delivering Student Union Homework Clubs to youth arts programmes, from lobbying by our academics to widening participation initiatives. Collaborations with museums, our involvement in Refugee Week and the Refugee Picnic, awareness-raising films, and for the first time last June, arts-based projects for migrant women, especially older women. We’ve been delivering lectures, conferences, seminars, info sessions, English classes, and short courses aimed at building capacity. We also have content on race equality projects (like those for Black History Month), podcasts, blogs, and activities that connect with both our student body and staff from Schools like Education, Arts, Business, Psychology, and more.
Our student body is the driving force behind this work, in fact the Queen’s University STAR group has a rich history, having played a pivotal role in the establishment of our very first sanctuary scholarships nearly seven years ago.
We have several key partners who help guide our work. We’ve strengthened our connection with Belfast City of Sanctuary by joining their membership and participating in specific meetings about our Path to Sanctuary to receive advice and guidance, be present at their initiatives, and understand how we can support each other. We’ve also been collaborating closely with the Education Authority NI, gaining insights into the situation of refugees and asylum seekers in hotels and dispersal accommodation, particularly around the university. This partnership has allowed us to shift our focus from “It’s great that so many people came to this event!” to “Who is not in the room? Whom have we let down? Who didn’t come because the event wasn’t relevant or accessible enough?” Our partners help ensure we remain accountable in terms of representation, participation, and resonance with the communities they support, adding a broader and more diverse dimension to our Sanctuary efforts.
Through our existing contacts, our own research and initiative, and the support of Belfast City of Sanctuary and Education Authority NI, we have reached out to, and in most cases maintain regular communication with, a wide range of organisations that support minority ethnic communities, including refugees and asylum seekers. Some collaborations, such as those with organisations working with the Roma community near the university, have been in place for years, but we are now refocusing our efforts through a Sanctuary lens. We meet with these organisations over coffee, explain what Queen’s University’s Sanctuary mission entails, and actively participate in their events. We understand that building trust requires establishing rapport. Our partnerships include the ANAKA Women Collective, Angaza Happy Women, Diverse Youth, HAPANI, iAssist NI, Include Youth, as well as connections with Street Soccer NI, BOMOKO, Arts Ekta, Beyond Skin, Barnardo’s, Rainbow Refugees, Extern, Footprint Women Centre, and several Muslim groups based around our university. These organisations have been instrumental in shaping our Sanctuary consultation workshops.
When we began working on the Sanctuary award application, we faced a crucial question: “How can we ensure that our strategy for the next three years reflects the actual needs and aspirations of our asylum-seeking, refugee, and minority ethnic neighbours, rather than just our own ideas and perceptions?” To avoid assumptions and misunderstandings, we decided that the best way to make our three-year strategy relevant was to ask those communities directly. We prepared an interactive, participant-centred workshop and reached out to all the groups we are connected with. Each workshop lasts three hours, including a break for food and meaningful social interaction. We use pair and group work, posters, and brainstorming activities to:
+ Discuss the top three priorities as a group and explore how we can improve existing initiatives or identify new opportunities.
+ Explore how universities operate in participants’ home countries.
+ Envision what the ‘perfect’ university would look like if it existed.
+ Present the current Sanctuary work at Queen’s University through our website.
+ Have participants prioritise examples of our current engagement.
We’re transparent throughout the workshop, emphasising that while some priorities may yield quick wins, others will require longer-term efforts. To facilitate continuous improvement, we gather anonymous feedback at the end of each session. We aim to make a meaningful impact through the changes these workshops inspire, but we also recognise the positive influence they have on our own work and lives. The awareness they generate, the depth of lived experiences shared, and the sense of friendship and mutual support leave us moved, energised, and empowered after each session.
Next steps… Exciting times are ahead! Our first award application has been drafted and reviewed internally by the team. After a productive call with Maryam and Gün, where we brainstormed plenty of ideas for improvement, we’re now set to share the draft with our internal Sanctuary Operational Group and key partners, ensuring we’re fully prepared when submissions reopen.
We genuinely appreciate all the efforts everyone at Queen’s University has made thus far, and we aim to celebrate these contributions as much as possible. While we recognise our progress, we’re also committed to doing even better in the future.
At Queen’s University, we have begun our journey towards Sanctuary. It’s not a linear path, nor is it a short one, but it’s a meaningful journey that we’re committed to walking together – with our colleagues, our friends, and our communities – for the years to come.