18-05-01: Prof Alison Phipps announced as Chair of New Scots Core Group
Published: 1 May 2018
Prof Alison Phipps to Chair Scotland's Refugee Integration Partnership and Strategy.
Professor Alison Phipps will lead the partnership supporting refugees and asylum seekers rebuilding their lives in Scotland. Alison will take over as the Chair of the New Scots Core Group at the end of this month.
New Scots is a partnership between the Scottish Government, The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) and the Scottish Refugee Council, to help support the integration of refugees and asylum seekers in their new Scottish communities.
Professor Alison Phipps takes over the chair, which is an independent position supported by the strategy’s key partners, from Dr Alison Strang of Queen Margaret University, who is stepping down.
“I am delighted to take up this role and to continue the excellent work of my predecessor Dr Alison Strang. The work of the New Scots group has been very innovative and led to major improvements for refugees, asylum seekers and receiving communities across Scotland." Professor Alison Phipps
Prof Alison Phipps said: “My own work in this field complements the New Scots approach to a holistic integration policy with some new dimensions focusing on languages and the arts. I am really committed to the participatory work Dr Strang and New Scots have built into the policy and know I will be learning greatly from the experiences of those who are expert integrators as New Scots and as Scots. This is a crucial time for embedding strong intercultural relations in Scotland and creating hospitable environments for all.”
A passionate advocate for refugees and people seeking asylum, Professor Phipps is a leading authority in both the academic and lived experience of refugees’ issues.
Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli, Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, said: “This is a superb appointment for Professor Alison Phipps who has done so much to foster a culture of welcome in Scotland for asylum seekers and refugees.
“I wish Professor Phipps every success and have no doubt that she will bring considerable energy and expertise to this important work as we face unprecedented numbers of people forced from their homes across the world.”
For the full story please see University News
A short video on the annoucement can be viewed on the University of Glasgow twitter feed
First published: 1 May 2018