Rachel is a PhD student in the Department of Geography. Her research explores the factors governing the urban lives of people seeking asylum in London, looking at how significant urban spaces facilitate and inhibit opportunities for social connectivity, health and well-being against the constraints of legal status and an exclusionary asylum system.

Rachel completed an MPhil. in Race, Ethnicity and Conflict at Trinity College Dublin and holds a BA in Politics and Psychology from the University of Liverpool. Her MPhil. dissertation was an investigation into destitution in the asylum process, the impact of UK immigration policies and the responsive role of the third sector.

Rachel also works for the Refugee Council delivering training courses as part of their Refugees into Jobs projects. Previously, Rachel worked for the international affairs think tank, Chatham House, and London-based think tank, Common Vision, working on innovative projects to increase engagement around long-term, intergenerational policy challenges. Rachel has also held a number of roles in the refugee charity sector.

Research

Thesis title: Cities of refuge and resistance: Everyday urban spaces, social inclusion & the hostile environment. The shaping of the urban lives of people seeking asylum in London

PhD supervision:

Principal supervisor: Dr Johan Andersson

Secondary supervisor: Professor Phil Hubbard

Further details

See Rachel's research profile