The Council for Assisting Refugee Academics (CARA)

CARA's primary objective is to support refugee academics in their effort to rebuild shattered academic and/or professional careers within the UK and ensure that their specialist knowledge and abilities continue to benefit mankind. CARA offers the following services:

1. Based on its 70+ years of experience in the field, CARA has produced Higher Education Pathways: A handbook for refugees and others seeking entry into Higher Education, a 126 page guide to assist entry into higher education. This comprehensive handbook covers every step from choosing a course to finding employment at the end of one's studies:

  • Assessing the options available
  • Determining eligibility
  • Choosing the course
  • Funding the course
  • Preparing for the course
  • Support that is available during studies
  • Preparing for employment

Each chapter includes useful checklists, a list of resources and a directory of over 150 organisations that provide funding assistance and information on higher education.

Refugees and asylum seekers may obtain a single copy free of charge.

2. CARA gives grants to refugee academics who have been a lecturer or researcher at a university in their home country. Our grants aim to help refugee academics who are looking to rebuild their academic and/or professional careers in the UK, through re-qualification or enhanced qualification. CARA holds 2 grant rounds a year, with Calls for Applications going out in April and October.

3. The Iraqi Hardship Fund has been launched for Iraqi academics who are in need of support. CARA provides funding to Iraqi academics and gives advice on placements at universities in the UK.

4. CARA is part of the CARA/SAR UK Universities Network, which was formed in 2005 and has two strands of activity. The first is designed to assist refugee academics in the UK resume their academic and/or professional work, and to assist academics under threat in their countries of origin. The second strand of activity relates to the defence and promotion of academic freedom and university values worldwide.

For further information about CARA and to order a copy of the Higher Education Pathways guide, please contact:

CARA

London South Bank University Technopark
90 London Road
London
SE1 6LN

t: 020 7021 0884
e: info@cara.lsbu.ac.uk
w: www.academic-refugees.org