Introducing RLRH

The Refugee-Led Research Hub supports people with lived experience of displacement to become thought-leaders and changemakers across society.

We enable this by 1) delivering academic programmes that support access to graduate degrees, 2) championing a refugee-led research agenda, and 3) providing professional training and career development opportunities in fields that contribute to positive social impact.

Our global work is guided by the priorities and knowledge of forcibly displaced communities, with a committed team working closely with nearly 1,500 affiliates and a network of partners. We have offices in Nairobi, the Kakuma refugee camp, Kampala, Kuala Lumpur, and Oxford, as well as an active affiliate community in Amman.

OCH Fellowship 2026 launches!

The Oxfordshire Community Hub (OCH) Fellowship 2026 has launched! This programme provides a collaborative space for fellows to exchange knowledge and enhance research skills. Five talented individuals were selected for a six-month journey developing their Independent Research Projects in the social sciences.

Reflections from the Graduate Traineeship: Amani Bikungu

Amani Bikungu, a Graduate Trainee based at RLRH's Kampala hub, shares her reflections on the programme so far. Now nine weeks in, Amani describes the experience as one that is changing her perspective in significant ways, from workshops on writing, professional communication, and AI and plagiarism, to take-home exercises and team-based learning.

Courage in action: how RLRH marked Refugee Week 2026 🧡

Refugee Week 2026 brought RLRH affiliates and colleagues together across the globe to explore this year's theme of Courage. Through film screenings, creative activities, shared meals, and honest conversation, each gathering made space to reflect on what courage looks like in the daily lives of affiliates and colleagues with experience of forced displacement.

RLRH at the Oxford Sanctuary Fair

RLRH marked the start of Refugee Week at the Oxford Sanctuary Fair over the weekend, joining community groups and organisations from across the city for a day celebrating sanctuary, welcome and the people who make Oxford a place of refuge.

At a glance

Learners, researchers & professionals across the world

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Professional placements completed

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RLRH affiliates identify as women or non-binary

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Offers received for graduate degrees worldwide

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Research studies completed

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Applications submitted for RLRH programmes

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Download our flyer to learn more about us.

Where Are We?

Meet our team

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Grace Isimbi

Research Assistant

Grace Isimbi
Research Assistant

"Working with the RLRH team has been an incredible journey and I am grateful to be in space that supports my growth"

Joshua Low

Southeast Asia Programme Manager

Joshua Low
Southeast Asia Programme Manager

"To pilot something new in Southeast Asia feels full of possibilities. By supporting refugee leadership through research, academic, and professional programmes, this pilot helps us hold decision-makers accountable, create professional growth opportunities, and expand the nonprofit refugee and displaced persons workforce"

Foni Vuni

Africa Partnerships Specialist

Foni Vuni
Africa Partnerships Specialist

"Since the establishment of RLRH, I’ve realised that transformative leadership is about so much more than just the work we produce, it's about the environment we build together. It’s about intentionally creating a safe space where one feel's empowered to grow, take risks, and even make mistakes."

Nija Amir

Researcher

Nija Amir
Research Assistant

"To me, refugee-led research is about reclaiming space and dignity. It allows refugees to move from being studied to being seen as experts of their own experiences. In a region where the refugee population is growing but often lacks visibility, RLRH offers hope that we can lead, analyse, and create change."

Oudai Tozan

Director of Academic Programmes

Oudai Tozan
Director of Academic Programmes

"Many displaced learners have the drive and ability to succeed at Master's level but face practical barriers to getting there. The academic programmes at RLRH create structured pathways so learners can build readiness over time, on their own terms."

Mohamed Hassan

Research Lead

Mohamed Hassan
Research Lead

"RLRH recognises the structural barriers people with lived experience face, from documentation to limited access to education and professional opportunities, and actively works to remove them. [...] What I value most is our proximity to communities and support for individuals to grow into the transformational leaders they aspire to be"

What we do

1. Increasing access to graduate education

RLRH champions a global agenda to expand displaced scholars’ access to Master’s degrees and PhDs.

Through Graduate Horizons, we guide displaced scholars to secure offers for master’s degrees and PhDs at universities around the world. The current 2025-2026 cohort brings together over 1,000 learners and mentors.

Prospective graduate students: Register your interest here!
Universities: Be in touch to improve refugee access to your degrees!

2. Producing refugee-led research

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RSRI & Global Compact on Refugees: Unpacking opportunities and barriers for success

RLOs in East Africa: Community perceptions in Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia & Tanzania

A. Y. Kara, A. Getachew, M. Gitahi, & U. Ramazani

Refugee-Led Organisations in East Africa: Community perceptions in Kenya

Adhira Yousif Kara

Pathways to employment: Tunisia report

Uwezo Ramazani

Pathways to employment: South Africa report

Uwezo Ramazani

Pathways to employment: Rwanda report

Mohamed Hassan

Pathways to employment: Nigeria report

Uwezo Ramazani and Fardosa Salah

Finding durable solutions: Refugees’ access to citizenship and permanent residence in Kenya

Bisimwa Mulemangabo and Dr Kenneth Wyne Mutuma

3. Supporting refugee leadership with partner organisations

Our team prepares and places displacement-affected professionals in roles with organisations that are committed to meaningful refugee employment. To date, RLRH has facilitated placements with more than 60 organisations, with more partner organisations in the pipeline.

Interested to expand opportunities for displacement-affected individuals at your organisation? Learn more about hosting a professional placement. Some of our previous and current hosts include:

The Refugee-Led Research Hub is generously supported by the IKEA Foundation, the Mastercard Foundation, the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Global, and Porticus.