Taking place from 15 - 21 June and built around the theme of Courage, the week brings together universities, cultural venues and communities to learn from displaced voices and reflect on what it means to find safety far from home.
Across the seven days, the College will run a series of gatherings and creative activities - an invitation for our members to listen, exchange ideas and reaffirm our belief that scholarship thrives where people from every background are welcomed and heard.
Book Display
Mon 15 June - Sun 21 June Lee Library
Pop into the Lee Library to browse and borrow from our display of fiction, non fiction and poetry spotlighting the diverse experiences of refugees.
Poetry Display
Mon 15 June - Sun 21 June Club Room
Throughout the week, the Clubroom will host a curated selection of poems on displacement, refugees, and courage, with one placed on each table for College members to discover and reflect on.
Garden Trail
Mon 15 June - Sun 21 June College gardens
Wind your way through the College gardens following our trail (map available digitally), stopping at each point to learn about climate refugees and the realities of displacement driven by climate change.
Pot Painting
Mon 15 June, 17.00 Student Garden
Join us for a relaxed pot painting session in the Student Garden - through the simple act of decorating a pot and shaping a space of one's own, the afternoon invites quiet reflection on what it means to resettle, rebuild, and create a sense of home. It's also a chance to step away from exam season and gather as a community (and a limited number of free plants will be available to take away!)
Beyond Borders: Stories of Courage and Connection
Thu 18 June, 17.00 Lee Hall
Join us for a screening of two acclaimed short films: Migrants (2020), directed by Hugo Caby, Antoine Dupriez, Aubin Kubiak, Lucas Lermytte and Zoé Devise, and Tskaltubo (2023), directed by Toby Andris.
Following the screenings, an invited panel will respond to the films and open a conversation on displacement, belonging and the role of dialogue in shaping understanding. An audience Q&A will create a space for participation and exchange.
The evening will conclude with refreshments and informal conversation, offering an opportunity to continue discussions and connect with fellow attendees through a shared cultural experience.
Refugee Week Organising Committee
Made up of four student volunteers from Wolfson College, the Refugee Week Organising Committee is committed to creating spaces for learning, dialogue, and connection. Through the week's programme, they aim to celebrate the voices, experiences, and contributions of refugees, emphasising their role as active agents in shaping their own lives and communities.
- Giulia Ciraolo
Giulia Ciraolo is an MPhil candidate in Sociology, whose research focuses on Ukrainian refugees in higher education, analysing how experiences of displacement and refugeehood shape identity, opportunities, and capabilities. As Programme Coordinator, she has coordinated the overall planning and delivery of the programme, overseeing event organisation, stakeholder engagement, and communication.
- Rhoda Adjoa Nyarko
Rhoda Adjoa Nyarko is an MPhil candidate in Planning, Growth and Regeneration. Her research examines the regulatory inefficacy of landfill provisions in Ghana, tracing how structural gaps in planning law can permit encroachment to take root. For Refugee Week, she is responsible for the design of graphics and visual materials, helping to shape the visual identity and communication of the programme.
- Nami
Nami is an MPhil student in Criminology whose research focuses on conflict-related sexual violence. As part of the Refugee Week Organising Committee, she has contributed to the development of several initiatives, including the Garden Project and the Book Club, supporting project planning, brainstorming sessions, and stakeholder engagement.
- Robyn Nebbs
Robyn Nebbs is a first-year BA Geography student. She identified climate refugees as a key focus area for the Garden Projects, with the aim of supporting greater awareness of the diversity of refugee experiences and related challenges.
