Center for Forced Migration Studies (CFMS)

The CFMS brings together an interdisciplinary group of faculty and students and fosters collaborative networks with organizations and practitioners to contribute an understanding of the condition of refugee movement across state borders to avoid the risk of harm, the underlying social disfranchisement, and the international community’s response to refugee needs.  In order to inform policy recommendations, the CFMS focuses on the personal predicaments, needs, challenges and rights of refugees themselves. As such, the connection of documentation and research, to policy and practice is central to the work.

Research:  The CFMS conducts multidisciplinary research to safeguard refugee rights and protection guaranteed under international law and, in doing so, seeks to identify gaps in protection needs.

Documentation:  The CFMS’s develops new approaches, strategies and resources to collect expert testimony, documentation of persecution, and violations of the rights of refugees.

Education:  The CFMS provides learning and training opportunities for students, academics, policy makers, practitioners and refugees such as our annual summer institute.

Outreach:  The CFMS contributes to the formation of refugee policy, protection practices and debate through networking, engagement, publication and partnerships.