The 2025 Summer Course on Refugee Issues will be held from June 2 - 6, 2025 at York University.

"Climate Migration Futures: Shaping The Research Agenda for 2050"

For over two decades, York University’s Centre for Refugee Studies has run an internationally acclaimed, non-credit professional development Summer Course that brings together practitioners, policy makers, and researchers to learn together about the most pressing forced migration and refugee issues.

All participants who complete the full course receive a York University Centre for Refugee Studies Summer Course Certificate.

If you would like to be kept updated about CRS, please let us know that you’d like to be added to our listserv by emailing Michele Millard at mmillard@yorku.ca.

About this year's course

The nexus of climate change and human mobility is rapidly transforming, demanding new, innovative research that anticipates the challenges and impacts of the coming decades. Climate Migration Futures: Shaping the Research Agenda for 2050 challenges conventional approaches and pushes the boundaries of how research can support our response to climate-induced migration. This cutting-edge summer course focuses on bold, forward-thinking research priorities and methods that can help to address the framing of climate migration, the governance of climate migration, ethical strategies for climate adaptation and relocation, and envisioning climate migration in 2050.

Leading international academics will provide introductory keynotes on themes critical to climate migration research. Participants will engage with case studies and research findings from climate frontlines, exploring how research scenarios address these questions and reveal both successful interventions and the unintentional, but often time intentional, creation of new vulnerabilities.

Through an immersive combination of expert-led sessions, collaborative design-thinking workshops, and innovative scenario planning, the course will help to: 1) redefine the research agenda on climate migration; 2) explore what research is needed to tackle the impacts of climate migration; 3) advance the appropriate research methods that can inform policy development.

Learning outcomes of this course will empower participants to:

Redefine Research Approaches: Develop innovative frameworks and methods to address the challenges of climate migration, focusing on resilience, climate justice, and ethical adaptation strategies
Enhance Policy and Governance Understanding: Explore the intersection of language, governance, and human rights in shaping adaptive policies and addressing vulnerabilities
Foster Collaborative Visioning: Engage in scenario planning and interdisciplinary collaboration to envision transformative solutions for climate migration by 2050

This course is designed for scholars, policymakers and practitioners who are ready to push the boundaries on current research thinking and praxis, bridging interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary tools to address the current and unforeseen factors that will define climate migration by 2050. Participants will leave prepared to advance a transformative research agenda rooted in resilience, climate justice, and innovation in the face of global climate change impacts.

Overview

Climate Migration Futures: Shaping The Research Agenda for 2050

June 2-6, 2025

Draft Program (as of March 11 2025)

June 2, 2025	Welcome and Introduction
Registration and Introductions	Introduction to Summer CourseWhat are the visions and objectives for the CRS Summer Course, Climate Migration Futures: Shaping the Research Agenda for 2050? – Dr. Yvonne Su, CRS Director
Virtual Roundtable	The Geopolitics of Climate Migration: Africa and MENA on the Global StageGender, Climate Migration, and Policy Responses in Africa and MENA – Dr. Amal El Ouassif, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in MoroccoClimate Migration Governance in Africa: Policies, Regional Responses and Future Pathways – Dr. Opportuna Kweka, Chair at the University of Dar es Salaam’s Research Chair on Forced Displacement (UDSM-RCFD)
Sharing Circle	Personal narratives of Climate Migration in Canada Climate Disaster Project – Dr. Sean Holman, Wayne Crookes Professor of Environmental and Climate Journalism at the University of Victoria“Migrants are talking more about climate change” - Jill-Anne Santiago, Migrant Resource Centre Canada
Social	Afternoon Networking Activity TBD: Evening social event that will feature a panel of our main speakers that will be open to the public.

June 3, 2025	WORDS - Framing Climate Migration: The Power of Language and Labels
Expert-led Discussion	Policy labels and the language of climate migration and displacement? Whose perspectives count? – Dr. Roger Zetter, Emeritus Professor of Refugee Studies, Oxford University
Virtual Roundtable	Framing Mobility: Policy Language and Climate Migration in a Changing World – Dr. David Wrathall, Associate Professor, College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State UniversityGlobal Climate Migration is a Story of Who, Not Just How Many - Hélène Benveniste, Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Social Science, Stanford University
Workshop	Simulating Climate Disaster Displacement - Dr. Vincenzo Bollettino, Director of Program on Resilient Communities, Harvard Humanitarian Initiative
Group work	Creation of teams under each theme
Social	(Optional) guided tour of downtown Toronto and the lakeshore

June 4, 2025	GOVERNANCE - Building Adaptive Governance for Climate Migration
Expert-led Discussion	How can we develop adaptive governance frameworks to respond to known climate-related risks and unforeseen disruptions over the next decades? - Dr. Will Greaves, Associate Professor, University of Victoria
Roundtable	Climate Migration and Human Rights: Bridging Legal Gaps in Governance- Dr. François Crépeau, Professor, Faculty of Law. McGill University, former United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of MigrantsCanada’s [Potential] Role in Climate Migrant Governance - Maureen Silcoff, Canadian refugee and immigration lawyer, Silcoff Shacter
Workshop	Building Research Tools for Climate Migration – Dr. Yvonne Su, Director, Centre for Refugee Studies, York University
Group work	Teams under each theme meet to discuss learnings from the day
Site Visit	Visit to Food Hall TO, an “incubator food court” that features restaurants run by refugees and newcomers, whose mission is to “advance entrepreneurship through business incubation while decreasing food waste and encouraging healthy and responsible consumption and production.”

June 5, 2025	ACTION - Ethical Strategies for Climate Adaptation and Relocation
Expert-led Discussion	Community-Driven Planned Relocation: Cases from Panama, the Philippines, and Nepal – Dr. Erica Bower, Researcher on Climate Displacement in the Environment and Human Rights Division, Human Rights WatchInternal Displacement, Relocation and Innovative Infrastructure in Bangladesh - Dr. Gabrielle Wong-Parodi, Stanford University
Virtual Panel	Empowering Agency in Climate Adaptation: Ethical Dimensions of Migration and Relocation - Dr. Ingrid Boas, Professor at the Environmental Policy Group at Wageningen UniversityEnabling People Positive Adaptation Journeys - Dr. Andrea Milan, Senior Programme Manager, Global Centre for Climate Mobility
Workshop	Rights-based Approaches to Planned Relocation Governance - Dr. Erica Bower, Human Rights Watch
Group work	Teams under each theme meet to discuss learnings from the day
Social	Afternoon Reception/Social

June 6, 2025	FUTURE - Envisioning Climate Migration in 2050
Expert-led Discussion	Crafting a Future Agenda for Climate Migration in a World Gone Mad – Dr. Roger Zetter, Emeritus Professor of Refugee Studies, Oxford University and Dr. Yvonne Su, CRS Director
Workshop	Effective Digital Storytelling – Dr. Sean Holman, Wayne Crookes Professor of Environmental and Climate Journalism at the University of Victoria
Presentations	Team Presentations on potential research questions and projects to pursue Next Steps
Social	(Optional) social event in downtown Toronto

Akalya Kandiah, PhD, Summer Course Academic Director

Akalya Kandiah has a PhD in International Development and Globalization Studies from the University of Ottawa. She has conducted research for the Diversity Institute and the Local Engagement Refugee Research Network (LERRN), and is also a junior research fellow at the Tshepo Institute for the Study of Contemporary Africa (TISCA).

Dina Dong, Summer Course Program Assistant

Dina is a recent master's graduate from the University of Oxford where she focused on diasporas and trans-national/local cultures. While her research interests are vast, she is currently exploring the encounters of moving people and cultures. Prior to her master's, she worked at the Senate of Canada.

Beyond supporting the CRS Summer Course, Dina is a local journalist, researcher, and an outdoors enthusiast.

What to expect in the application process

Applying to the Summer CRS Program is simple. You can start your application by going to our application portal. You will be prompted to fill out a form which requires a CV, reference letters in addition to references, and a few questions. You will be able to edit your application after submission, however your application will not be automatically saved.

Early bird application will end on April 1^st, any applications received after will be charged the regular tuition price should you be a successful applicant. The final date for application will be April 25^th, 2025.

We highly encourage applicants who require visas to consider applying as early as possible with the understanding that results may take up to four weeks to respond to.

I’ve applied, now what?

CRS will be accepting applications on a rolling basis and will close registration should spots be filled before the April 25^th, 2025, deadline. We encourage applicants to apply as early as possible.

Please note, it may take 2-4 weeks to process your application. If you do not hear a response after 4 weeks, please contact us.

I’ve been accepted

Congratulations! You will receive an email prompting you to do the following:

Pay your tuition

Check your email for updates leading up to the course. We will be sending registration forms closer to the date

While CRS is unable to provide full financial support, you can apply for a tuition subsidy to assist with the costs. This link will be sent with your acceptance

I’ve been accepted and I need a visa, what do I do?

If you indicated in your application form that you require a visa, CRS will send you an acceptance letter which serves as your invitation letter alongside a visa support letter for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) Application.

For more detailed information, please refer to our Visa Information page.

CRS will be unable to assist with your direct visa application process, we strongly encourage you to contact the appropriate government institutions for further assistance and inquiries.

Do I get accommodation?

Unfortunately, CRS is unable to provide accommodation. Please look at our Accommodation section for further guidance.

York University is easily accessible by the TTC, with a subway stop on Line 1 (York University Station) which brings you directly to the campus.

I cannot attend anymore

Please contact us as soon as possible when you learn you are unable to attend. If you have already paid your tuition, we will process a refund.

2025 tuition fees

Special Early Bird Offer (until April 15^th)

Recognizing the recent financial challenges faced by many institutions and individuals, we are offering a 50% discount on the early bird virtual participation fee - so the final cost is between CAD$300 - $462 (approx. USD$200-$320) depending where you’re based, plus HST, until the early bird registration deadline on April 15th, 2025. This discount cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Eligible applicants intending to attend in person are able to apply for a tuition subsidy. The link to the tuition subsidy application will be included in the applicant’s acceptance email. Tuition subsidies range from CAD$100 - $400).

**In-person*:**

Note that the Early Bird registrants will be given a coupon code upon acceptance to get the reduced rates.

Early bird rate: $1,075 CAD + 13%HST (deadline April 15, 2025)

Early bird for participants based in the Global South: $750 CAD + 13% HST (deadline April 15, 2025)

Regular rate: $1,500 CAD + 13%HST (deadline May 25, 2025)

*This includes coffee breaks and a light lunch. Accommodation, travel and other costs are not included and must be covered by the participant.

Attending virtually (note the early bird rate listed below is the regular price, before the special offer of a 50% discount is included):

Early bird rate: $925 CAD + 13%HST (deadline April 15, 2025)

Early bird for participants based in the Global South: $600 CAD + 13% HST (deadline April 15, 2025)

Regular rate: $1,350 CAD + 13%HST (deadline May 25, 2025)

Payment

All payments are by credit card only (please note that it is not possible to pay by debit card). Please do not pay the registration fee until your acceptance in the program has been confirmed. Please click on the link below to complete your payment.

Summer Course Registration Payment link

Visa support

For many attendees it can take many weeks for the immigration authorities to assess a visa application, so the earlier you apply once you've been accepted the better.

For those who have already applied for their visas and are still waiting for the results, you are not required to pay the registration until you have been successful in getting a visa. You don't have to worry about the early bird registration deadline - we will make it available to you at any time once you have your visa.

At York University

Attendees who plan to stay at York University may request accommodation from conference services through their accommodation request form. Rates for a single room in student residences are $70.00 + tax per night and rates for a double room are $118.00 + tax per night.

You can also book on campus accommodation at the Executive Learning Centre, Schulich School of Business.

To make a hotel reservation, please reach out to the Schulich Executive Learning Centre through:

Email: reservations@schulich.yorku.ca

Phone: 416 650 8300

Must quote Block ID 869559 or Block Name: Centre for Refugee Studies Summer Course

Please reserve room by May 1^st 2025, after this date any unused rooms will be released back into general inventory and subject to availability.

Off-campus

For attendees who prefer to reside downtown, the University of Toronto offers residence rooms . The Toronto Metropolitan University , which is also right downtown, near the Eaton Centre, also offers rooms, beginning at $75 a night. These rates are subject to change. Attendees may also find reasonably priced rooms through Airbnb, Expedia.ca or Kayak.ca.

Workshops

1. Building Research Tools for Climate Migration

Dr. Yvonne Su, Director, Centre for Refugee Studies, York University

Part 1: Knowledge Building

Overview: Dr. Su introduces integrating arts-based participatory methods into the study of climate migration:
- Arts-based Participatory Approaches: Co-creating research with displaced communities to integrate lived experiences.
  - Body mapping
  - Photovoice and Videovoice
  - Critical cartography
Case Studies:
- Examples from Dr. Su’s research on post-disaster recovery after Typhoon Haiyan and climate change adaptation
- Insights into ethical considerations and challenges in data collection.
Part 2: Interactive Workshop

Participants work in small groups to discuss how arts-based participatory approaches can be integrated into their own work
Teams can see how these approaches can be applied to their theme of study
Each group presents their ideas and receives feedback from peers and Dr. Su.
Learning Outcomes:
- Gain foundational knowledge of participatory research methods.
- Understand ethical and practical challenges in conducting climate migration research.
- Practice applying these approaches to research topics within climate migration studies

2. Simulating Climate Disaster Displacement

Dr. Vincenzo Bollettino, Director of Program on Resilient Communities, Harvard Humanitarian Initiative

Part 1: Knowledge-Building:

Dr. Bollettino will run a simulation of a climate disaster and the actions taken before and after a disaster event.
Through role play, the simulation explores positions, attitudes, and compromises that need to be struck between different organizations and agencies.
Part 2: Interactive Workshop:

Participants are given a scenario that they need to work through in groups.
Facilitators guide participants through a structured framework and pose important questions and decision points.
Learning Outcomes:

Practice role playing different organizations and agencies involved with disasters with direct facilitator support.

Build foundational knowledge on climate displacement and governance.