University of Exeter - Exeter City of Sanctuary

Exeter University- A University of Sanctuary

Since 2015 students and staff at the University of Exeter have been coming together and working on campus to build a culture of welcome for sanctuary seekers. Prof. Nick Gill has been a key figure in leading and developing this work over the years. The University has achieved ‘University of Sanctuary‘ status.(https://universities.cityofsanctuary.org/).
There is a dedicated sanctuary working group on campus and an active STAR group (Student Action for refugees).

Members of the university sanctuary group have played a central role in the work of ExCoS over the years including students volunteering with us and the ‘Students for Sanctuary’ initiative in 2018 (see below ). Prof. Nick Gill and Dr. Bagelman, lecturer, have been members of ExCoS committee.

Community Law Clinic This clinic includes the Exeter Immigration Clinic. Sited on campus this clinic aims to provide a specialist advice and immigration service for those who are otherwise unable to afford representation. The clinic is completely free of charge and by appointment only. Law students work under the supervision of practicing solicitors. Contact: [email protected]

Sanctuary Scholarships

Exeter University offers 3 ‘sanctuary scholarships‘ and partial fee waivers to undergraduates who are asylum seekers.

The university groups are involved in facilitating awareness raising events, workshops, lectures and talks on campus and across the city. They also work hard to promote access to HE for sanctuary seekers -so crucial for the wellbeing and successful integration of refugees and asylum seekers.

Research

Prof. Gill’s research around Asylum, Justice and Migration is widely published and he has been a trustee with City of Sanctuary (national) developing it’s Universities of Sanctuary stream nationally. He is also a board member of the charity Justice.

Routes: Interdisciplinary research around migration combined with collaboration with non governmental orgs.

Students for Sanctuary: a University of Exeter & ExCos Partnership

The Department of Geography at the University of Exeter and Exeter City of Sanctuary are endeavoring a unique partnership commencing in 2018. Under the supervision of Dr Jen Bagelman, and in collaboration with ExCos, 100 Geography students will be creating ‘zines’ (mini-magazines) which will address and consider how to promote the goal of welcome and hospitality in Exeter. This partnership hopes to encourage younger generations to engage, at the local scale, in pressing issues relating to displacement. Moreover, this project hopes to nourish links between the city and university in an effort to make Exeter a more welcoming home for all.