Welcome to the Centre for Refugee Studies!
It is a great privilege to serve as the new Director of the Centre for Refugee Studies. My personal and professional journey has instilled in me a deep commitment to advancing the rights and dignity of refugees and migrants.
As an immigrant child transported from a rural village outside Guangzhou, China, to a rural town in Holland Landing, Ontario, I am well aware of how public policies and media perceptions impact how migrants and refugees are treated in real life. Growing up as the only Chinese family in town that operates the local Chinese restaurant, I was told many times that while my family were the “right type” of immigrants that Canada should be taking in, other immigrants and refugees were stealing jobs and taking away resources that should be reserved for Canadians. It saddens me that these polarized narratives continue dominating our media and policy landscape three decades later.
In the UK, we saw disinformation and misinformation rally rioters to enact violence and hatred towards innocent people of colour, assumed to be refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. As I shared on CBC radio, the most frightening part was when one of the rioters on trial was asked why he did it; he said “Because everyone else was doing it.” We cannot allow for run-away anti-refugee and anti-immigrant hate to happen in Canada or anywhere else in the world.
As someone who has experienced the complexities and consequences of forced migration firsthand, I am honoured to lead an institution that is at the forefront of challenging inequality and advocating for justice in the face of record-high global displacement.
At CRS, we are not just about understanding the structural causes of forced migration—be it conflict, climate change, or socio-economic inequality. We are about actively addressing them. Our research, advocacy, and collaborations with communities worldwide are all rooted in a fundamental commitment to uphold human rights and ensure the agency of displaced populations.
With a focus on transformative research and impactful policy, I aim to build on the Centre’s strong legacy, while bringing fresh perspectives that emphasize the agency and resilience of migrants and refugees. Together with our global partners, we are committed to fostering an inclusive space where innovative ideas lead to tangible change and the voices of those affected are central to the conversation.
I invite you to explore our work and join us in advocating for a world where the rights and contributions of refugees and migrants are recognized and upheld. Also, don’t be shy, say hi at our centre and attend our events!
Director, Centre for Refugee Studies
York University