This event aims to open the discussion about health challenges faced by migrants and refugees. Through this interdisciplinary and open dialogue with different stakeholders, opportunities for improvement and possibilities of positive change will be discussed. The event is interdisciplinary by nature and by design. It is organised by academics at the Universities of Oxford, and Oxford Brookes with expertise in medical statistics, epidemic modelling, diagnostic technologies, refugee studies, big data, history of forced migration and infectious disease. Similarly, the audience and panel members come from different disciplines and tracks, offering an opportunity to include more people in the discussion and get more rounded reflections on the topic. This event comes as a response to this pressing issue of epidemic vulnerability in populations of migrants and refugees that live in temporary accommodation.
The lead organiser Dr Eleni Elia (PI) with a team of co-investigators (Dr Karen Hough, Dr Ryan Pink Dr Michal Palacz, Prof Muhammad Younas) have completed a funded research project focusing on gaining insights on the prevalence of and preparedness for epidemic diseases in this population in Cyprus and Italy. Refugee reception centres are often crowded, as is temporary accommodation, with limited access to resources and healthcare services, making them particularly vulnerable to communicable diseases. This study brings to light several shortcomings of the healthcare systems including limited or no access, a need to educate migrants and refugee populations about communicable diseases, missed opportunities for mental health support. We are actively promoting collaboration between policymakers, NGOs, and academics to ensure effective healthcare and epidemic response strategies. By sharing knowledge, resources, and best practices, stakeholders can work together to develop comprehensive and sustainable solutions to address the health needs of refugees and migrants.
Format
This event will open with a brief presentation from the lead organiser, followed by a moderated panel discussion that encourages interdisciplinary engagement. Lunch will be provided.
Speakers
Douglas Leasure, Senior Researcher and Data Scientist at the Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science, University of Oxford
Esteban Garcia, Senior Biostatistician in ISARIC within the Pandemic Sciences Institute (PSI) at the University of Oxford
Donna Winston, Trial Manager at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, based at the Oxford Centre for Anxiety Disorders and Trauma (OxCADAT)
Laurence Roope, Senior Researcher at the Health Economics Research Centre, University of Oxford
Nicholas Irons, Florence Nightingale Bicentenary Fellow in Computational Statistics and Machine Learning at the Leverhulme Centre for Demographic Science, University of Oxford
Chairs
Andrea Macrae, Principal Lecturer in Student Experience and Stylistics at Oxford Brookes
Esteban Devis-Amaya, Senior Lecturer in Spanish and Latin America Studies at Oxford Brookes
Audience
This event is open to students and researchers in statistics, health economics, epidemics, migration and refugees studies, and researchers from across the Social Sciences Division at all stages of their careers, including senior scholars working on issues around epidemic preparedness, migrant/refugee health who are interested to learn more about these issues. Members of the Oxford Sanctuary Community are also warmly invited to attend.
