Refugee Law Initiative

07/01/2026

Register now for our forthcoming IN-PERSON seminar later this month:

'The Refugee Convention in a hostile world: diverse contexts of risk' 29 January 2026, 6pm-7pm, Woburn Room, G22, Ground Floor, Senate House

https://rli.sas.ac.uk/news-events/events/refugee-convention-hostile-world-diverse-contexts-risk

This seminar analyses what current trends mean for the Refugee Convention’s future, globally and in particular regions and countries. In recent months and years, there are indications that States’ relationships with the Convention appear to be shifting from general acceptance of the treaty as a statement of shared basic international legal obligations in this field, with some opting for non-observance and even seriously proposing withdrawal. This coincides with a broader questioning of international law by powerful States. Our speakers will address challenges (and opportunities) arising in contexts as diverse as the UK, the USA, mainland Europe, South Africa and at the global level.

Speakers include:

- David Scott FitzGerald, University of California San Diego
- Vicky Tennant, UNHCR
- Julia Zelvenska, ECRE
- Dr Nicholas Maple, Refugee Law Initiative

The seminar will be followed by a drinks reception. This event is open to all and free to attend but booking is required.

This seminar is part of our 16th International Refugee Law Seminar Series: The Future of Refugee Law.

06/01/2026

ONE MONTH LEFT to register for the RLI's 2026 Research Methods in the Refugee and Forced Migration Field short course running from from 2-6 March 2026 at Senate House, University of London .

Registration deadline: 6 February 2026

This intensive research methods course provides high-quality training in methodology and ethics, by drawing on the extensive teaching experience and networks of the RLI. The course is aimed primarily at early PhD students working on forced migration issues and early career researchers, humanitarian and development workers, civil society, and consultants working on issues relating to displaced persons.

The course will:
👉 Introduce you to qualitative and quantitative research methods, with a special focus on their applications in refugee and forced migration contexts
👉 Expose you to recognised best practice and ethical standards related to the study of forced migration
👉 Develop your intellectual and independent research skills so you will become more confident in designing and running your own research projects.

To apply for a place, simply email your CV with a cover email to RLIMethods@sas.ac.uk.

Visit our website to learn more and to hear what students have said about this course: https://rli.sas.ac.uk/study-us/short-courses/research-methods-refugee-forced-migration-field



School of Advanced Study - University of London

05/01/2026

We are delighted to welcome Baroness Shami Chakrabarti CBE NEXT WEEK to deliver our seminar 'Human rights law under threat in Europe: Restricting rights in asylum and migration cases' on 15 January 2026, 6pm-7pm, in Chancellor’s Hall, Senate House, London (in-person-only event).

States are increasingly restricting how the European Convention on Human Rights applies to migrants and refugees. Attempts to circumvent the Article 3 right to freedom from torture, inhuman and degrading treatment in an effort to increase removals, formal restrictions on the applicability of its Article 8 right to private and family life considerations, and the latent threat of ECHR withdrawals have all been seen in recent years in the UK and beyond. What does this mean for the future of human rights law in Europe?

The seminar will be followed by a drinks reception. This event is open to all and free to attend but booking is required.

Register here: https://rli.sas.ac.uk/news-events/events/human-rights-law-under-threat-europe-restricting-rights-asylum-migration-cases

Please note: This is an in-person only event.

This seminar is part of the 16th International Refugee Law Seminar Series: The Future of Refugee Law organised by the Refugee Law Initiative.




https://rli.sas.ac.uk/news-events/events/human-rights-law-under-threat-europe-restricting-rights-asylum-migration-cases

18/12/2025

New on the podcast - our two latest seminars from the 16th International Refugee Law Seminar Series: The Future of Refugee Law.

▶️ Irregular migration responses: small boats, return hubs and the future of the refugee regime - Recorded 9 December 2025

▶️ Funding crisis, UN reform and the future of humanitarian work - Recorded 6 November 2025

Listen here: https://rli.sas.ac.uk/resources/videos-podcasts

17/12/2025

Last week, 27 Council of Europe member states called for some rights to be ‘constrained’ or ‘adjusted’ in migration cases, and our timely seminar in January speaks directly to these issues.

'Human rights law under threat in Europe: Restricting rights in asylum and migration cases' 15 January 2026, 6pm-7pm, Chancellor’s Hall, Senate House, London.

Featuring keynote speaker Baroness Shami Chakrabarti CBE.

States are increasingly restricting how the European Convention on Human Rights applies to migrants and refugees. Attempts to circumvent the Article 3 right to freedom from torture, inhuman and degrading treatment in an effort to increase removals, formal restrictions on the applicability of its Article 8 right to private and family life considerations, and the latent threat of ECHR withdrawals have all been seen in recent years in the UK and beyond. What does this mean for the future of human rights law in Europe?

The in-person seminar will be followed by a drinks reception. This event is open to all and free to attend but booking is required.

https://rli.sas.ac.uk/news-events/events/human-rights-law-under-threat-europe-restricting-rights-asylum-migration-cases

This seminar is part of the 16th International Refugee Law Seminar Series: The Future of Refugee Law organised by the Refugee Law Initiative.

10/12/2025

In honour of , we're delighted to host a forthcoming in-person event on human rights law under threat with speaker Baroness Shami Chakrabarti CBE.

'Human rights law under threat in Europe: Restricting rights in asylum and migration cases' 15 January 2026, 6pm-7pm, Chancellor’s Hall, Senate House, London.

States are increasingly restricting how the European Convention on Human Rights applies to migrants and refugees. Attempts to circumvent the Article 3 right to freedom from torture, inhuman and degrading treatment in an effort to increase removals, formal restrictions on the applicability of its Article 8 right to private and family life considerations, and the latent threat of ECHR withdrawals have all been seen in recent years in the UK and beyond. What does this mean for the future of human rights law in Europe?

The seminar will be followed by a drinks reception. This event is open to all and free to attend but booking is required.

https://rli.sas.ac.uk/news-events/events/human-rights-law-under-threat-europe-restricting-rights-asylum-migration-cases

This seminar is part of the 16th International Refugee Law Seminar Series: The Future of Refugee Law organised by the Refugee Law Initiative.

10/12/2025

There is still time to register for our webinar TODAY at 1pm to learn more about our MA in Refugee Protection and Forced Migration Studies. 👇👇👇

Register here: https://www.london.ac.uk/news-events/events/human-rights-refugee-protection-webinar

ONE WEEK LEFT until our live Human Rights Day webinar!

Join us on 10 December 2025 from 1pm-2pm (UK time) to learn more about our MA in Refugee Protection and Forced Migration Studies.

Hear directly from Programme Director, Dr Nicholas Maple, who will outline how the degree can give you the skills necessary for a successful career in refugee protection and humanitarian work, as well as answering your questions in our live Q&A session.

Register here: https://www.london.ac.uk/news-events/events/human-rights-refugee-protection-webinar



University of London
School of Advanced Study - University of London

03/12/2025

ONE WEEK LEFT until our live Human Rights Day webinar!

Join us on 10 December 2025 from 1pm-2pm (UK time) to learn more about our MA in Refugee Protection and Forced Migration Studies.

Hear directly from Programme Director, Dr Nicholas Maple, who will outline how the degree can give you the skills necessary for a successful career in refugee protection and humanitarian work, as well as answering your questions in our live Q&A session.

Register here: https://www.london.ac.uk/news-events/events/human-rights-refugee-protection-webinar



University of London
School of Advanced Study - University of London

03/12/2025

Read our latest monthly update featuring events, news and blog posts:

https://mailchi.mp/london/refugee-law-initiative-december-2025

And subscribe here: https://shorturl.at/bnsKI

02/12/2025

ONE WEEK LEFT to register on our forthcoming IN-PERSON seminar next week 👇👇👇

Irregular migration responses: small boats, return hubs and the future of the refugee regime, 9 December 2025, 6pm-7pm UK time, Room 349, Third Floor, Senate House, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HU

This session examines the implication for refugee protection of the increasingly prevalent and more extreme implementation of harsh measures against irregular migration – a concern that is driving political agendas in many countries. We look at what such measures – including offshoring, pushbacks, border closures, and criminalisation – tell us about the direction of travel politically, how they affect asylum-seekers who move in this manner, and the extent to which they are compatible with international law or have the potential to change or threaten it.

Speakers:
- Professor Elspeth Guild, School of Social Justice, University of Liverpool
- Vicky Taylor, Border Criminologies/Oxford University
- Francesca Pizzutelli, Amnesty International, International Secretariat
- Professor Violeta Moreno-Lax, Hertie School and Queen Mary University of London

Free and open to all but booking is required: https://rli.sas.ac.uk/news-events/events/irregular-migration-responses-small-boats-return-hubs-future-refugee-regime

This seminar is part of the 16th International Refugee Law Seminar Series: The Future of Refugee Law.

27/11/2025

Join us in February for this in-person seminar on the obligations after the UK Supreme Court's AAA (Rwanda) judgment and the ICJ Advisory Opinion on Climate Change.

Non-refoulement Caught Between Custom and Jus Cogens?, 16 February 2026, 6pm, Room 349, Third Floor, Senate House, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HU

https://rli.sas.ac.uk/news-events/events/non-refoulement-caught-between-custom-jus-cogens

A discussion on non-refoulement obligations in light of UK Supreme Court AAA (Rwanda) and the ICJ Advisory Opinion on Climate Change

25/11/2025

Refugees in the 21st Century - FREE ONLINE COURSE offered by the Refugee Law Initiative at the University of London on Coursera!

This free online short course provides insight into the refugee phenomenon as one of the most complex, compelling and (arguably) misunderstood features of the 21st century. Taking a global perspective, it will outline the fundamentals of who ‘refugees’ are, where they come from and where they go, as well as delving into the features of the global system for refugee protection and ‘solutions’ for those who have been forcibly displaced. It places the student at the centre of the learning experience through engagement with a range of robust and challenging activities, materials and online peer engagement.

Register now for our free 6-week introductory course:

http://www.coursera.org/learn/refugees-21st-century