About
Welcome to the UEA University of Sanctuary website.
UEA is a University of Sanctuary, an accreditation given to universities that show an ongoing commitment to creating a welcoming culture of inclusivity and awareness.
UEA is proud to welcome people seeking sanctuary (asylum seekers and refugees) into their community, recognising the wealth of experience and knowledge they bring.
The Universities of Sanctuary initiative currently engages with sanctuary seekers, and the wider university and local community in multiple activities. These include learning and teaching, student support and student internships, delivery of events such as UEA Refugee week, research projects, partnerships with community organisations and through the UEA scholarship programme.
UEA University of Sanctuary Partnerships
Eastern Arc of Sanctuary
The UEA University of Sanctuary is a key member of Eastern Arc of Sanctuary, an initiative that looks to facilitate collaborations, develop a shared, positive and creative research culture, and advocate on behalf of members and the wider region. Our partners include Sussex Centre for Migration Research, the Human Rights Centre,the Centre for Migration Studies, and the Centre Trauma, Asylum and Refugees.
UEA Civic
We are proud to work in collaboration with UEA Civic. An initiative which focuses on listening to the voices of our region and developing partnerships to help improve the lives of our citizens and to share solutions. To find out more about their work, please click here.
The University of Sanctuary Steering Group
The UEA University of Sanctuary initiative is run by Sophie North and Madi Dutton and supported by a university wide team, including members with lived experience of forced displacement.
Sophie North (Lecturer in Health Sciences) Sophie is the Academic Lead for the UEA University of Sanctuary initiative.
Madeleine Dutton (School of International Development) Madi is the Sanctuary Liaison Officer.
Peter Courridge (Finance, Planning and Governance) Peter is the University of Sanctuary Finance Lead, as part of his role, Peter manages the Sanctuary Scholarships and the UoS budget.
Ulrike Theuerkauf (School of International Development) Ulrike is the University of Sanctuary Equality and Diversity Liaison. Ulrike was the Academic Lead for the initiative from 2018-July 2020 and continues to be a core member.
Liz Ferguson(Admissions, Recruitment & Marketing) Liz takes the lead on managing the outreach work of the initiative, which includes promoting the Sanctuary Scholarships, running events and organising campus tours for potential sanctuary students.
Karen Blackney (Admissions, Recruitment & Marketing) Karen represents the initiative at senior management level, ensuring the work of the steering group is visible at relevant central committees and events.
Esther Priyadharshini (School of Education & Lifelong Learning) Esther is the University of Sanctuary representative on the UEA Equality, Diversity and Inclusion committee.
UEA Sanctuary Students
UEA sanctuary students form a core part of our university of sanctuary team. They contribute to many of our projects and activities and together we work to consider what a culture of welcome can look like.
“Being a part of UEA Sanctuary Initiative has felt like being in a circle of unconditional support where differences unite us, and we can use our own voices for change”. Sanctuary Scholar
“It was just a dream for me to study at UEA as I did not have the right to apply for Finance. As an asylum seeker, the sanctuary scholarship was my only chance, and I had no other possibility to get a higher education.” Sanctuary Scholar
"The University of Sanctuary team has given me countless support. They made me feel at home in a place where I was alone and foreign. I can't thank the University of Sanctuary team enough for all of these." Sanctuary Scholar
Wider Movement
The Universities of Sanctuary initiative grew out of the City of Sanctuary movement. City of Sanctuary is a non-governmental movement which promotes action to foster greater inclusion and integration in the UK, with a key focus on supporting refugees and asylum seekers. It holds the vision that ‘our nations will be welcoming places of safety for all and proud to offer sanctuary to people fleeing violence and persecution’. Succeeding in this vision requires us to promote greater understanding and recognition of the ways in which people seeking sanctuary enrich society.
There are currently more than 70 cities and towns across the UK actively involved in the movement, including Norwich which joined in September 2016. Norwich City of Sanctuary is a coalition of local refugee support groups and community representatives. UEA is actively engaged with the Norwich City of Sanctuary steering group.
City of Sanctuary have created a University of Sanctuary resource pack which is available to view here.
“Being a Sanctuary Ambassador has been a transformative journey for me. It has given me the confidence to advocate for inclusivity and support for those in need. I’ve learned so much about the strength of community and the importance of creating safe spaces for everyone. This work has not only allowed me to make a difference in the lives of others, but has also enriched my own life in countless ways.” Sanctuary Ambassador
Norwich Sanctuary Ambassador Project is a collaborative community project between
the UEA University of Sanctuary and the Norwich City of Sanctuary Health Stream.
The project aims to enhance people’s understanding of asylum seekers and refugees by embedding the
voices of those with lived experiences of forced displacement in local activities relating to teaching, research and system design.
The Ambassadors play an active role in community events, educational workshops and outreach activities, working closely with local organisations to foster a more welcoming environment for those seeking sanctuary. They advocate for positive change, share their stories, and engage in discussions that challenge misconceptions about refugees and asylum seekers. By doing so, they not only influence local communities but also contribute to the development of national and regional sanctuary strategies.
To find out more about the project, please visit the Norwich City of Sanctuary website.
The Schools of Sanctuary initiative celebrates the good practice of schools who welcome asylum seeking and refugee families into their school community and foster a culture of welcome and inclusion for all.
We are proud to have supported the work of the Norwich Schools of Sanctuary initiative since 2017.
UEA has been a proud member of CARA since 2019. CARA provides urgently-needed help to academics in immediate danger, those forced into exile, and many who choose to work on in their home countries despite serious risks. CARA also supports higher education institutions whose work is at risk or compromised.
Through CARA, UEA hosts placements for its at-risk academic members. For further information, please go to: www.cara.ngo