The invasion of Ukraine mobilised the UK higher education sector into action to support students and academics affected by the conflict. It has also renewed the question of how the sector can build long-term, sustainable sanctuary frameworks.
The sector’s response to this particular conflict can and should be utilised to develop broader sanctuary frameworks for students, academics and institutions affected by conflict and displacement across the globe.
It has been heartening to see the many different sanctuary initiatives that have emerged and been expanded across the HE sector in the past year in response to the invasion of Ukraine, including institutional twinning, scholarship programmes and university sponsorship. In addition, through sharing expert analysis, academics have helped to create a better understanding of the conflict.
Here, the focus is on university sponsorship, whereby displaced students, academics and their families are offered a safe route to the UK and holistic support to continue their lives and academic journeys, as discussed in more detail in a previous article. This work is part of a broader, research-led ambition to develop HE-led safe and legal pathways across the globe.
