Sanctuary Solidarities: Abstract submission date extended

The deadline for submissions to our annual conference has been extended by 10 days to midnight on 11 June 2025. The conference, which will focus on ‘Sanctuary Solidarities’, will take place at the University of Sussex on 10 September 2025.

We encourage submissions from a diverse range of stakeholders, including researchers, charities, refugee groups, local authorities, policymakers, politicians, community groups and many others.

To submit your proposal, please fill in this simple form (~5 minutes to complete). 

With the rise in far-right populism, violent conflict and the bolstering of borders, our conference this year will look at the part university staff and students can and should play in forging solidarities with those seeking sanctuary, but also at how they should participate in contested and increasingly polarised debates about migration.

As the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) celebrates its 75th anniversary, and the Cities of Sanctuary movement celebrates its 20th, this conference is a timely opportunity to hear from a broad range of stakeholders from within our region and beyond, to learn from their experiences, and to encourage positive and creative conversations between speakers and groups with differing viewpoints.

The conference will explore different types of solidarities, including but not limited to:

• Academic solidarity
• Community solidarity
• Cultural solidarity
• Political solidarity
• Legal and human rights solidarity
• Health and wellbeing solidarity

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us on info@easternarc.ac.uk.