Catriona Nunn Refugee Week 2025 celebrates resilience and the power of community. This year’s theme, Community as a Superpower, is embodied by Ryad Alsous, a Syrian refugee, beekeeper, and the inspiration behind The Beekeeper of Aleppo. Through The Buzz Project, he helps refugees find healing and purpose through beekeeping, fostering connection and sustainability. As he receives an honorary degree from the University of York, a University of Sanctuary, we speak to him about the strength found in working together.
“Receiving an honorary degree from the University of York is one of the proudest moments of my life. It is a profound acknowledgment of my journey and the work I’ve done to support others. York’s commitment as a University of Sanctuary highlights the importance of welcoming and empowering refugees. Such initiatives create opportunities for displaced individuals to rebuild their lives and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Throughout my journey, bees have been my constant teachers. Their ability to survive and thrive for millions of years is a testament to their resilience, adaptability, and teamwork. Every bees’ colony is a lesson in leadership, cooperation, and purpose. Just as a queen’s strength shapes the colony, our ability to lead and support one another determines the success of our communities.
When Christy Lefteri approached me about writing a novel inspired by my story, I didn’t fully grasp what it would mean. She visited my family and the apiary, quietly observing and listening. To my surprise, her book, The Beekeeper of Aleppo, became an international bestseller, touching countless lives. While parts of the novel are fictionalised, it captures the emotional heart of my journey; loss, displacement, and the challenge of starting anew.
The story reflects the universal struggles and hopes of refugees. It shows the love, loss, and resilience that define so many of our journeys. Seeing the novel touch so many lives and even being adapted into a stage play has been deeply moving. Meeting audiences after performances and hearing how the story resonated with them reminded me of the power of storytelling to build understanding and compassion.
This journey has brought me to the University of York, a place that stands out for its commitment to creating opportunities for those seeking sanctuary. Being recognised as an honorary graduate by this institution fills me with immense pride – not just for what it represents for me, but for what it says about the importance of helping displaced people.”
Ryad’s journey to the UK began with profound loss. A respected academic and expert in apiculture, he was forced to flee Syria as the conflict engulfed his home, career, and sense of security. Arriving in Britain with little more than his knowledge of bees and determination to start anew, Ryad faced the daunting challenges of displacement: learning a new language, adapting to a different culture, and rebuilding his life from the ground up. Yet, through perseverance and connection to the natural world, he found a path forward.
“The Syrian conflict turned my life upside down, forcing me to leave my home, my career, and my community behind. Arriving in the UK, I faced the daunting task of starting over in a foreign land. Although I had some knowledge of English, it wasn’t enough to rebuild a professional life. Yet, I refused to let go of my dreams.
Displacement is never easy. It comes with profound loss – of family, home, career, and identity. Starting over in a foreign country, particularly at my age, felt like rebuilding my life from the ground up.
When I arrived in the UK after fleeing the war in Syria, I had little idea of what my future would hold. I was starting over in a country where I had no roots and only a basic grasp of English. But I knew one thing for certain: I could not abandon the life I had built around my love for bees. Beekeeping has always been my passion and my way of understanding the world. Now, it would also become the way I found a new purpose and a new community in the UK.
From the moment I arrived, I focused on learning and integrating into the community. I took English classes, volunteered in various roles, and worked to adapt my beekeeping expertise to this new environment. It wasn’t easy, but I reminded myself of the lessons bees had taught me about resilience and cooperation. Beekeeping became my anchor.”
What began as a personal passion for bees became a powerful force for healing and community under Ryad’s leadership. Drawing on decades of academic and practical experience in beekeeping, Ryad founded The Buzz Project in Huddersfield to support refugees and foster cross-cultural connection. This initiative not only teaches the art and science of apiculture, but also provides therapeutic benefits and practical skills to those recovering from trauma. Through bees, Ryad has cultivated a space where resilience, integration, and sustainability thrive side by side.
“I first became fascinated by bees during my university years in Syria. Bees are creatures of resilience, harmony, and purpose, building their lives on the principles of love and giving. Over the years, I’ve come to see my journey as a reflection of their example, particularly after the upheavals that brought me to the UK. Today, as an honorary graduate of the University of York, I am humbled and inspired to share my story of resilience, beekeeping, and finding hope amidst adversity.
My passion for beekeeping began in 1974, during my fourth year at the Faculty of Horticulture in Damascus. As students, we spent hours observing the intricate lives of bees during our practical lessons. Each bee performed a specific task, and their seamless teamwork fascinated me. I remember asking myself, “What drives them? Why do they work this way?” The answers sparked a lifelong journey of curiosity and dedication.
I started my first beekeeping venture with a close friend, using two colonies housed on his family’s farm. As we nurtured our colonies, I became deeply invested in the science of bees. Eventually, this passion guided me toward advanced studies, culminating in a master’s degree and a PhD in food science. My research focused on the chemical and physical characteristics of honey and the stability of vitamins during processing. This academic foundation combined my love for bees with scientific inquiry; a balance that I continue to cherish.
I eventually founded the Buzz Project in Huddersfield, a program that brings refugees and locals together to work with bees. Beekeeping is not just about producing honey, it’s about fostering connection, healing, and purpose. Many participants have found solace and inspiration through the project, just as I have. The rhythmic hum of a hive and the bees’ cooperative spirit remind us of the importance of working together to rebuild.
Bees are more than just pollinators; they are symbols of harmony and perseverance. In the Buzz Project, we place refugees alongside locals, creating opportunities for shared learning and healing. Many participants find solace and inspiration in working with bees. The rhythmic hum of a hive and the bees’ cooperative spirit have a calming effect, helping people overcome psychological struggles and build resilience.
Through this project, we teach beekeeping in schools, provide job opportunities, and encourage participants to embrace sustainability. For refugees, beekeeping offers a path to integration and purpose in their new communities. It is a reminder that, like bees, we can rebuild and thrive when we work together.
Bees have been my constant teachers, even in the most challenging times. They embody resilience, surviving for millions of years by working together and adapting to their environment. At the Buzz Project, we aim to bring that same spirit to our work with refugees and locals. Through the project, we teach beekeeping, share knowledge in schools, and provide opportunities for people to develop new skills. Refugees, in particular, find healing and purpose through working with bees. Beekeeping helps them reconnect with their sense of self and their ability to contribute to the community.
One of our current focuses is on the genetic improvement of native British black bees. By breeding native strains and reducing reliance on imports, we aim to promote sustainability and biodiversity. This work not only supports the environment but also serves as a reminder of the importance of nurturing what is local and unique.”
The University of York’s Sanctuary Fund exemplifies the institution’s commitment to providing meaningful support for refugees and asylum seekers. As a University of Sanctuary, York champions inclusivity and offers displaced individuals the chance to rebuild their lives through education and connection. For Ryad, receiving an honorary degree from the university represents more than recognition – it stands as a symbol of the transformative power of sanctuary. His story illustrates how institutions can empower individuals to rediscover their purpose and contribute to society in profound ways.
“The University of York has played a crucial role in my journey. Its status as a University of Sanctuary is more than just a title – it’s a lifeline for people like me. Refugees arrive in the UK with diverse skills and experiences, but often struggle to find ways to contribute meaningfully in their new communities. Universities like York provide a pathway for displaced individuals to rebuild their lives, offering opportunities for education, research, and connection.
York’s Sanctuary Fund, which supports refugees and asylum seekers, is an example of how such initiatives can make a tangible difference. These programs help individuals gain confidence, develop skills, and integrate into society. For me, being recognised by York as an honorary graduate is not just a personal honour; it’s a testament to the university’s dedication to inclusivity and its belief in the potential of every individual.
For those navigating displacement or rebuilding their lives, I offer this advice: be patient, set clear goals, and immerse yourself in your new community. Like bees, we can achieve extraordinary things when we work together, nurture our environment, and remain steadfast in the face of adversity.
As I look back on my journey, I am most proud of the connections I’ve made and the resilience I’ve fostered in myself and others. My story is just one among millions, each carrying the weight of loss and the promise of renewal. Through beekeeping, education, and community work, I hope to continue inspiring others to find strength in adversity and to see the beauty in building something new.
York has shown me that sanctuary is not just about safety – it’s about opportunity, growth, and belonging. As I look to the future, I hope to continue sharing my story, raising awareness about the refugee experience, and inspiring others to find strength in adversity. Together, we can create a world built on resilience, love, and harmony – just like the bees.”
If you’d like to find out more about The York Sanctuary Fund please click here.
You can join in our cultural exchange and register to be a mentor to a refugee via the York for Life platform.
