OU funds project to break barriers for refugee women in Wales

A groundbreaking initiative, led by the Welsh Refugee Council (WRC) in collaboration with Open University’s (OU) Professor Marie Gillespie, has secured £25,000 in funding to break down barriers for refugee women in Wales. This vital support - awarded through the OU’s Open Societal Challenges (OSC) platform - underscores the University’s commitment to driving real, lasting societal change.

Titled Empowering Refugee Women in Wales: Tackling Gender Barriers to Education and Employment, this ambitious year-long project will confront the systemic obstacles refugee women face in accessing education and employment. By providing, evidence-based, tailored support and resources, the initiative aims to unlock opportunities, foster independence, and create pathways to brighter futures.

A vital step toward inclusion

Refugee women in Wales face deep-rooted systemic barriers that leave many isolated and economically disadvantaged. With only 34% of refugee women in the UK employed - compared to 62% of non-refugee women - the disparity is clear, and the need for action is urgent. This project is a crucial step toward dismantling these obstacles and creating real, lasting change.

Guided by an expert team - including OU in Wales Partnerships Manager, Helen Thomas, and WRC’s Head of Communications, Engagement and Policy, Athina Summerbell - the research will take a community-led approach. By amplifying refugee women’s voices through focus groups and forums, the project ensures that those most affected shape both the research and the solutions it delivers. This initiative isn’t just about understanding the challenges - it’s about driving meaningful, transformative change.

Rigorous research with real-world impact

This project will use a comprehensive blend of qualitative and quantitative research to uncover and address the barriers refugee women face in Wales. Community forums will capture lived experiences and identify key challenges, while direct engagement with employers and educators will explore how they can create more accessible opportunities. Through surveys and in-depth interviews, the research will examine critical issues such as language barriers, childcare challenges, qualification recognition, and UK immigration Policy. Additionally, the project will co-create practical solutions, including an action-driven Education and Employment Toolkit co-developed with lived experience experts.

The final report, set for release in the summer of 2026, will go beyond documenting challenges - it will deliver clear, actionable recommendations for policymakers, employers, and educators to help build a more inclusive and supportive environment for refugee women.

A powerful partnership

For over 35 years, the Welsh Refugee Council has been the leading force in supporting sanctuary seekers. By partnering with The Open University, this project strengthens its ability to advocate for meaningful, systemic reform. It also nurtures the next generation of social justice-driven researchers by involving early-career academics in impactful, community-led research.

But the significance of this initiative extends beyond academia. Findings will be shared with policymakers, local authorities, and employers, ensuring that the challenges faced by refugee women are not only acknowledged but actively addressed.

Through its Open Societal Challenges platform, The Open University continues to champion transformative research with tangible impact. By funding this crucial project, the OU reaffirms its four-nation commitment to inclusivity, equity, and the power of education to change lives.

This is more than research - it’s a movement for a fairer, more accessible future for refugee women in Wales.