Refugee Governance in the Arab World: The International Refugee Regime and Global Politics – book talk

Wednesday, 14 October 2026, 5pm to 6pm

About this talk
With the Refugee Convention marking its 75th anniversary, how have Arab states shaped its trajectory and legacy, and what futures might unfold for the international refugee regime in the Middle East?

A discussion to launch a new open access book: Refugee Governance in the Arab World: The International Refugee Regime and Global Politics edited by Tamirace Fakhoury and Dawn Chatty. The book presents the first comprehensive study of how Arab states interact with the international refugee regime. It offers a multidisciplinary perspective bringing together historical, political, legal, sociological, and anthropological approaches. Through a wide range of case studies, the anthology explores how Arab states have created norms and practices of refugee governance beyond – and not necessarily aligned with – international refugee law. It also analyses how Arab states have negotiated and contested international agreements and processes. In doing so, the book 'de-exceptionalizes' the Arab region, positioning states and societies as norm shapers with an impact on global politics beyond the Arab world.

About the speakers
Associate Professor Tamirace Fakhoury The Fletcher School, Tufts University, US (Co editor of the book) and Professor Dawn Chatty Emeritus Professor of Anthropology and Forced Migration Refugee Studies Centre, University of Oxford (Co editor of the book).

With contributions from: Professor Dallal Stevens Emeritus Professor of Refugee Law University of Warwick, UK (author) and Dr. Ann Christin Zuntz Lecturer in Anthropology of Development University of Edinburgh (author)


The seminar will be followed by drinks in the Hall.

Term: Michaelmas, Week 1

Series: Refugee Studies Centre Events

Venue: Queen Elizabeth House - Seminar Room 1
Seminar Room 1 Queen Elizabeth House 4 Mansfield Road Oxford Oxfordshire OX1 3TB United Kingdom

Department: International Development (Department)

Host: Refugee Studies Centre