Research reports

Our research reports about refugees and asylum seekers back up our lobbying and campaigning work

Our research reports are based on studies carried out by ourselves or in conjunction with other organisations. They look at the critical issues faced by asylum seekers and refugees in Scotland, covering the key areas of protection, integration and welfare.

These reports are also available in our searchable resource library.

If you cannot find what you are looking for, contact us.

2011

First Annual Evaluation Report of the Work of the Scottish Guardianship Service Pilot (PDF)
December 2011
This report outlines the evaluation process, approaches taken and identifies the measures of success and outcomes.

Stage 2 briefings - Refugee Integration Study (x5)
Education briefing
Employment briefing
Health briefing
Housing briefing
Neighbourhood and community briefing
December 2011
These briefings are part of Scottish Refugee Council's study of refugee integration. They follow the integration framework developed by Alistair Ager and Alison Strang and look at employment, housing, education, health and neighbourhoods and community.

The briefings combine some of the statistical data from 262 questionnaire responses with some of the first data from qualitative interviews with 30 asylum seekers and refugees.

Refugee Integration in Scotland
Statistical findings from stage 1
June 2011
Statistical findings from stage one of a three-year study into how refugees and asylum seekers are integrating into life in Scotland. Includes research on how refugees experience housing, employment and communities.

Refugee Integration in Scotland
Briefing 1: Key Findings from Stage 1
May 2011
An overview of the first stage in our three-year study on integration among refugees and asylum seekers in Scotland

Delivering Human Rights in Scotland
An update on Scottish Public Authorities in 2010
March 2011
This report is by Scottish Refugee Council, Scottish Women’s Aid, The Scottish Association for Mental Health  and Amnesty International Scotland. Human rights are fundamental in meeting the needs of the people that we work with. So we made Freedom of Information requests to 43 public sector bodies, asking them what steps they had taken to comply with Section 6 of the Human Rights Act. This report sets out the responses that we received, and makes recommendations for further action.

Becoming British citizens?
Experiences and opinions of refugees living in Scotland
February 2011
This research examines the opinions of refugees living in Scotland towards the UK citizenship process and their views on becoming British citizens. It was carried out by Strathclyde University and Scottish Refugee Council.
Read our policy briefing on Citizenship
Read our blog on multiculturalism

Literature review updated 
January 2011
We carried out an extensive literature review in winter 2008/2009. We committed to reviewing and cataloguing all research about asylum seekers and refugees in Scotland. This was to ensure that the literature review was not too time specific. This is the first of those updates.

2010

Your inflexible friend: the cost of living without cash
November 2010
This joint report by the Scottish Refugee Council, the Refugee Council, the Welsh Refugee Council, and the North of England Refugee Service criticises the Azure payment card, which leaves many living in hunger and deprivation.
Take action: ask for the Azure card to be replaced with cash
Read the joint Westminster parliamentary briefing (55Kb PDF)

A study of Black Minority Ethnic (BME) service user distribution
October 2010
This report provides an analysis of the numbers of people from asylum seeker, refugee and broader BME and migrant communities within Glasgow; the distribution of these communities across the city; and the specific challenges faced by these communities and their needs. 
Read further background to the report

Refugees' Experiences and Views of Poverty
October 2010
Produced by Glasgow Caledonian University - and commissioned by Scottish Refugee Council - this research paper highlights the ongoing poverty faced by refugees once they gain their staus.
Read a summary of the report
Read more and watch a short film about the research

Maintaining Family Unity Throughout the Asylum Support System in Policy and Practice
October 2010
This report shows how asylum-seeking families who do not arrive in the UK together are being forced to chose between making themselves destitute in order to stay with their chidlren, or to live apart but receive support.

“One day we will be reunited”
Experiences of Refugee Family Reunion in the UK
April 2010
This report analyses the application process for refugees wishing to be reunited with their families. It highlights many of the barriers to reunion and the need for greater recognition of the right to be reunited.

2009

“Even Among Asylum Seekers We Are The Lowest”
Life on Section 4 Support In Glasgow
October 2009
This report highlights the problems associated with the cashlessness that living on Section 4 support imposes. It highlights both the length of time that people are surviving on Section 4 support and the problems associated with such a life.

Asylum-seeking women: violence and health
September 2009
This study, by Scottish Refugee Council and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, reveals high levels of violence, depression and stress amongst asylum-seeking women. The report shows that women experience violence at all stages of the refugee journey.

Navigating the maze: Refugee routes to housing, support and settlement in Scotland 
June 2009
This research focuses on refugees’ experiences of accessing suitable accommodation. It was commissioned by Scottish Refugee Council and Access Apna Ghar Housing Association. It was carried out by Heriot Watt University and the Market Specialist.

Literature review
March 2009
The Scottish Refugee Council Literature Review highlights much of the research conducted in terms of asylum and refugee policy in Scotland. The report seeks to identify major themes and gaps  which exist within the field.

The Second Destitution Tally: An indication of the extent of destitution among asylum seekers, refused asylum seekers and refugees
January 2009
The Asylum Support Partnership, of which we are a member, has produced a second policy report on destitution among asylum seekers, refused asylum seekers and refugees.

Archived research reports

Older reports can be found here 

Other source of information

The GRAMnet, ICAR and COMPAS also contain research reports on the topic of migration. Learn more about these organisations