Catriona Nunn Friends and alumni gathered at The University of York to hear powerful first-hand testimony about the realities of forced migration and the life‑changing role the York Sanctuary Fund is playing in helping displaced students and scholars rebuild their lives at the University of York.
Hosted by York alum and former BBC editor Phil Harding, the event brought together alumni, donors and friends to explore how universities can, and should, respond to today’s refugee and migration crises.
Phil chaired a panel featuring: refugee and York postgraduate scholar Fawzia Ehsani; Professor Simon Parker, co‑chair of the University of York Migration Network; Dominic Richardson, York alum and Managing Director of the Learning for Wellbeing Institute; and Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central.
Over the course of an hour, the panel shared personal experiences, stark data and reasons for hope, highlighting both the barriers displaced people face and the transformative impact of scholarships funded through the York Sanctuary Fund.
Barriers to education and why York’s support matters
Professor Simon Parker set out the global context: although many refugees are highly qualified, only a tiny proportion are able to access higher education, and most displaced people remain in low and middle‑income countries rather than Europe. He explained that stringent visa rules mean UK universities often cannot bring students directly from refugee camps, limiting support largely to those who have already managed to reach the UK and secure some form of status.
Even then, finance remains the biggest barrier, as many people with asylum or humanitarian protection backgrounds are ineligible for standard student loans. The York Sanctuary Fund was created to address precisely this gap – offering scholarships and tailored support that make university study a realistic possibility for talented individuals who would otherwise be shut out.
Simon described Sanctuary Scholars as “a fantastic resource” who enrich the University intellectually and culturally, helping York live up to its mission as an international university committed to the public good. Without them, he argued, the University would be “much poorer” in every sense.
Fawzia’s journey from Afghanistan to York
Fawzia, now in the final stages of her doctorate at York, shared her journey from senior public servant in Afghanistan to refugee scholar. Formerly Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation and later Senior Advisor on political parties affairs in the High Council for National Reconciliation, she had secured a prestigious Chevening scholarship to study in the UK.
In August 2021, she left Kabul briefly for medical treatment in Iran, unaware it would be the last time she saw her home. Days later, as the Taliban seized power, she was informed that her visa could not be issued and her scholarship would be deferred because of the deteriorating security situation.
As Afghanistan collapsed, Fawzia received evacuation emails from the British authorities, but was advised not to return to Kabul because of the risks associated with her political role. She was eventually granted a visa to come to the UK but devastatingly, her mother’s visa was refused, leaving her mother stranded in Iran and unable safely to return to Afghanistan.
Now settled in the UK under the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme, Fawzia has applied for family reunification, drawing strength from the fact that, so far, she has not received a refusal. She spoke movingly about her mother living alone in Iran after their apartment in Afghanistan was repeatedly searched, and about the emotional toll of separation.
Education, she emphasised, had been central to her own story from childhood: her mother had been denied schooling but was determined that her daughter would study. Today, Afghan girls and women are banned from secondary school and university, a reality Fawzia feels compelled to raise at every opportunity.
She described how arriving at York, with a Sanctuary Fund‑supported scholarship for her PhD, gave her the time, community and purpose she needed to recover from the trauma of displacement and to begin to rebuild her life. “It made a huge difference,” she explained. “Without the University’s support, integration would not have been possible.”
Dominic’s view on policy and the human cost
Drawing on his work in Palestine, Israel, Angola and China, York alum – Dominic Richardson – explored how policy choices shape the lives of refugee children and families. He noted that while the UK ranks relatively high in absolute numbers of refugees accepted, it falls much lower when adjusted for population, with many European countries doing more.
Dominic highlighted the “dog’s dinner” of systems across Europe: unaccompanied minors barred from school in some countries, or kept in institutions rather than foster care in others. He stressed that family reunification is not an optional extra but goes to the heart of children’s rights and wellbeing: the family is the primary environment for a child’s development, and separating families undermines both immediate welfare and long-term outcomes.
Policies that pause or restrict family reunion, he argued, are effectively a form of separation, at odds with international conventions and the UK’s own commitments. From an economic perspective, he noted that data from countries such as Germany and Denmark show that, within around five years, refugees’ contribution to the economy is comparable to that of other citizens.
Dominic cautioned against justifying social policies solely on the basis of economic “returns”, arguing instead for a shift in discourse towards fairness, human dignity, rights and the idea of living better together. He also suggested education – including university‑led work on curricula and public engagement – has a crucial role to play in reshaping societal attitudes.
Rachael’s perspective on politics and the role of York
Rachael Maskell MP reflected on her eleven years in Parliament and the hardening of rhetoric and policy around migration. She expressed deep disappointment and anger at the current direction, which she believes follows a divisive, fear‑based agenda rather than embracing the economic, social and cultural benefits of welcoming refugees.
Rachael pointed out that the UK faces acute labour shortages across sectors including the NHS, construction, engineering and agriculture, alongside an ageing population. In that context, she argued, turning away highly skilled and motivated individuals seeking sanctuary is both morally wrong and economically short‑sighted.
She also highlighted recent policy changes that lengthen the route to settlement to 10 years or more, making it harder for people to access higher education and build stable lives. Despite this, Rachael sees strong support in York itself for a positive, humane approach to refugees, describing it as a “huge privilege” for the city to welcome people seeking safety.
Audience contributors underlined York’s long tradition of tolerance and internationalism, from the legacy of JB Morrell to the city’s status as the UK’s first Human Rights City. Representatives from York City of Sanctuary shared frontline experience of navigating complex Home Office bureaucracy with students from Gaza and other conflict‑affected regions, and voiced frustration at policies that inflict “unnecessary cruelty and suffering”.
Simon echoed this sense of history and responsibility, pointing to York’s rich “ecology” of organisations – from the University of Sanctuary and the York Human Rights City initiative to local interfaith networks and refugee support groups – all working together to uphold the idea of sanctuary in practice.
Reasons to be hopeful and how you can help
Asked what gives them hope, all four panellists pointed to the possibility – and urgency – of change.
Rachael noted that politics never stands still: with enough public will, policy can shift rapidly. She drew inspiration from local initiatives such as Fishergate Primary School’s “School of Sanctuary” status, where children are actively shaping a more welcoming culture for their classmates.
Dominic pointed to historical examples, such as the relatively recent extension of voting rights to women in parts of Europe, as evidence that societies can rethink entrenched norms quickly when the consensus moves.
Fawzia expressed the hope that safe and legal routes – particularly for Afghan women and girls – will be reopened, warning that banning student and work visas from specific countries risks pushing people towards dangerous, irregular journeys.
Simon spoke of the inspiration he draws from today’s students and young people, who he believes reject competitive nationalism and chauvinism in favour of community, internationalism and cooperation. As this generation steps into leadership, he argued, politics will have to catch up.
Throughout the evening, one theme was constant: the Sanctuary Fund is already changing lives, but there is much more to do. With donor support, York can:
- Offer more scholarships to students like Fawzia, enabling them to study in safety and contribute their skills and experience.
- Support displaced academics and human rights defenders to continue their work, in partnership with organisations such as the Council for At‑Risk Academics.
- Strengthen York’s role as a University of Sanctuary, deepening links between campus and city and amplifying evidence‑based voices in national debates.
Closing the event, Phil Harding reminded guests that, while the challenges facing refugees and asylum seekers can seem overwhelming, funds like the York Sanctuary Fund offer a practical, hopeful way to respond – one scholar, one family, one community at a time.
To learn more about the York Sanctuary Fund and how you can support displaced students and scholars at York, please visit the York Sanctuary website.
