Research
Supporting refugee-led and displacement-focused research on issues including:
- Forced displacement
- Refugee protection
- Statelessness
- Identity and belonging
- Peace and conflict
- Migration
- Human rights
- Education
- Livelihoods
- Policy and governance
The Refugee-Led Research Hub (RLRH)
Research. Representation. Opportunity. Leadership.
The Refugee-Led Research Hub is an EMERGE-ZAMBIA initiative creating pathways for refugees, displaced people and people with lived experience of displacement to participate meaningfully in research, academia and professional spaces.
The Hub recognises displaced people not only as subjects of research or recipients of assistance but as researchers, scholars, professionals, knowledge holders and leaders.
Why the Hub?
Research on displacement is often produced about displaced people without sufficiently involving them in deciding what questions are asked, how research is conducted or how findings are used.
The RLRH seeks to help change this.
We create spaces where people with lived experience of displacement can develop research capacity, contribute knowledge, access opportunities and shape conversations about the issues affecting their lives and communities.
What We Do
Capacity Building
Providing practical support in:
- Research methods
- Academic writing
- Policy analysis
- Grant and proposal writing
- Publishing
- Data collection and analysis
- Research ethics
- Presenting research
Mentorship
Connecting emerging refugee and displaced researchers with academics, researchers and professionals who can provide guidance, feedback and opportunities.
Academic & Professional Pathways
Creating connections to:
- Universities
- Research institutions
- Think tanks
- International organisations
- NGOs
- Fellowships
- Conferences
- Internships
- Publishing opportunities
Refugee-Led Knowledge
Providing platforms for displaced people to publish and share their own perspectives through:
- Research papers
- Policy briefs
- Essays
- Commentaries
- Personal reflections
- Research findings
Dialogue & Advocacy
Bringing researchers, policymakers, practitioners and displaced people together to discuss issues of displacement and develop more informed responses.
Who Is It For?
The RLRH is primarily designed for:
- Refugee researchers
- Displaced scholars
- Students with lived experience of displacement
- Early-career researchers
- Refugee-led organisations
- Academics and research institutions
- Professionals working on displacement and related issues
Our Approach
Not just research about people.Research with people.Research led by people.
The RLRH promotes meaningful participation rather than token representation. We seek to create opportunities for displaced people to contribute to research agendas, produce knowledge, access professional networks and participate in decisions about how knowledge is generated and used.
Our Programmes
RLRH Research Fellowship
A structured opportunity for emerging refugee and displaced researchers to develop and conduct research.
RLRH Research Mentorship
Connecting emerging researchers with experienced academics and practitioners.
RLRH Research Academy
Training in research methodology, academic writing, publishing and policy analysis.
RLRH Scholars Network
A community connecting refugee and displaced scholars across countries and disciplines.
RLRH Research Grants
Small grants supporting research led by people with lived experience of displacement.
RLRH Knowledge Series
Publications, conversations and events bringing refugee-led knowledge into wider academic and policy spaces.
Partnerships
The Hub will work with universities, research institutions, governments, international organisations, civil society organisations and refugee-led organisations to expand opportunities for displaced researchers and professionals.
Interested in partnering with the RLRH?
Partner With Us
Our Publications
- Research Papers
- Policy Briefs
- Issue Briefs
- Youth Perspectives
- RLRH Dialogues
Displacement should not mean the end of a scholarly or professional journey.