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On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, Dr. Marianela Barrios Aquino, a Postdoctoral Research Associate, and Sujeena Shakya, a Postgraduate Researcher, convened the first of two consultations with local authorities and organisations in Portsmouth. 

This research is part of their ongoing efforts to identify the primary needs and concerns of individuals seeking sanctuary, including students and staff within the city. The consultations aim to foster collaboration in creating a safe and inclusive environment for those fleeing persecution or harm, aligning with Portsmouth's commitment as a City of Sanctuary to support vulnerable and isolated individuals.

They were joined by Ruth Nabholz-Duncan (Portsmouth City Council), Simone Green (British Red Cross), Brancy Pacheco (City of Portsmouth College), and Megan Ayling (Portsmouth City of Sanctuary). This initial consultation brought together frontline professionals working closely with Portsmouth’s migrant community, marking an essential step in shaping the research.

Participants shared key insights and identified pressing challenges, including safeguarding concerns related to age disputes, lack of accurate information as well as stigma surrounding entitlements for those seeking sanctuary, a lack of cohesion between local authorities and the difficulties around navigating various government systems.

Simone Green from the British Red Cross said:  “We are very happy to contribute to this invaluable research. The University is uniquely positioned to support and advocate for migrants. We believe that research of this kind can bring positive results for migrants as well as the communities they live in”. 

This research supports the ����������’s goal of becoming a University of Sanctuary - an initiative led by Dr Charles Leddy-Owen and the University of Sanctuary Working Group. The University sees this designation as a pathway to advancing its broader strategic commitments to equality, diversity, inclusion, social responsibility, and sustainability.

Attaining University of Sanctuary status will also enrich campus life and academic dialogue by fostering a more inclusive environment and embracing diverse perspectives.

Dr Marianela Barrios Aquino hopes that by hosting this conference, she said:  “We established a connection with the most important local organisations and also have a clearer idea of where to focus our efforts, in particular -  ESOL provision, networking opportunities and education and employment support”.