Empowering asylum seekers and refugees to access higher education

The Reconnect with Academic Research (RWAR) summer school, developed and coordinated by Bridging the Gap and hosted in partnership with Cardiff University’s division of Lifelong Learning, was designed to help refugees and asylum seekers to feel confident to continue their studies to a postgraduate level.

Sessions were a reintroduction to data collection and analysis, presenting an argument, academic research and writing, and other important themes.

An Awards Ceremony was organised to conclude the programme, and certificates were presented by Mark Drakeford MS.

Dr Sara Jones, who leads on Community Engagement at Lifelong Learning commented: “Many of the delegates have studied with us before, and therefore we already know how talented and capable they are. We are able to provide the support and encouragement needed for them to reconnect with higher education. The PhD proposals we heard were exceptional and many were based on personal experiences with powerful impact. We feel honoured to be involved in the initiative.”

Judith Nkwopara, Bridging the Gap founder, commented:

"Reconnect with Academic Research was created by Bridging the Gap as part of our wider initiative including our Ready Access pathway to bridge barriers and create accessible pathways for refugees and asylum seekers into higher education. RWAR equips participants with the tools, confidence, and networks to reconnect with academic research at postgraduate level and beyond.

“It is grounded in the belief that higher education should be accessible and shaped by diverse voices. As Professor Catherine Walsh reminds us, ‘Decolonising knowledge is about opening spaces for other ways of knowing, thinking, and being to flourish.’ Partnering with Cardiff University to host this summer school has enabled us to create such a space, where participants can reconnect with their academic ambitions and see themselves as part of the research community once more."

MD Fayek Miah completed the summer school and commented:

“Studying with Lifelong Learning has been transformative. The Aspire IELTS Scholarship, Pathway to Social Science, and social care courses helped me rebuild my academic confidence and reconnect with my passion for learning. These experiences played a key role in my decision to pursue postgraduate study, and now, attending the RWAR summer school feels like a vital step in preparing for my MA in Social and Public Policy at Cardiff University.”