Program Overview

Refugee Education Program

The Refugee Education program aims to support and advance the field of critical refugee studies by exploring experiences of people who are refugees or seeking refuge elsewhere from their native lands. As a faculty, we build teacher education, non-credit, and graduate courses in addition to advancing research on issues related to forced migration caused by political strife, war, and climate change. The goal of the program is to move away from long-standing colonial gazes and frames that sensationalize refugees’ lives. It is the educational experience of asylum seekers that is at the centre of this program. Scholars in the faculty hope to understand these life events with a view to educate both the host and the refugee communities on harmonious coexistence and honouring the new home and those hosting them. This program hopes to contribute to refugee communities that have crossed socio-political borders by facilitating educational experiences vital for children and youth, many of whom have spent their school-age years away from their native land, language, and culture. The Refugee Education program critically engages with the distinct role of teachers and schools within resettled communities both here in Canada and abroad. This includes, but not limited to, integrating theory and policy considerations related to the refugees’ encounters in schools through curricular and pedagogical practices.

Examples of Course Offerings

• B.Ed, non-credit and Certification Students
  • EDCP 467A | Refugee Education
• Graduate students
  • EDCP 585 | Contemporary Research in Critical Refugee Education

Program Faculty

• Sofia Noori
  • Assistant Professor
• Cynthia Nicol
  • Professor
• Samson Nashon
  • Professor & Head

Program Description

The Refugee Education program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the complex issues surrounding refugee education. The program focuses on the educational experiences of asylum seekers and refugees, and explores the ways in which teachers and schools can support the integration of refugee students into their new communities. The program also examines the role of education in promoting social cohesion and addressing the challenges faced by refugee communities. Through a combination of coursework, research, and practical experience, students in the Refugee Education program will gain a deep understanding of the complex issues surrounding refugee education and develop the skills and knowledge needed to make a positive impact in this field.