Kat Eghdamian, Ph.D. Candidate

k.eghdamian@gmail.com

University College London

Country: United Kingdom (England)

About Me:

Kat Eghdamian is a specialist researcher and facilitator on religion, forced migration, and minority rights issues. Her current research explores the relationship between religious identity and experiences of international displacement, with a focus on religious minorities among Syrian refugee populations in the Middle East and Europe. Currently a PhD candidate with an Economic and Social Research Council scholarship at University College London (UCL), Kat also holds research, teaching, and consulting roles with national and international organisations. A graduate of the London School of Economics and the University of Oxford, she is also a qualified barrister and solicitor. Prior to academia, Kat worked in human rights advocacy and research for almost a decade, with a primary focus on freedom of religion and belief issues.

Research Interests

Refugees

Religion & Politics

Development

Human Rights

Immigration & Citizenship

Middle East & North African Politics

Religious Movements

Religious Influence

Religion & Terrorism

Religion & Violence

Minority Rights

Humanitarian (Refugee) Aid

Causes Refugee Flows

Syrian Refugee Crisis

Immigrant Integration

Freedom Of Religion

Religious Minorities

Religious Refugees

Identity Politics

Identity

Countries of Interest

Germany

Jordan

Iran

Turkey

United Kingdom

My Research:

My current research is on the role of religion and religious identity in refugee integration processes and programmes in Germany. Specifically, the experiences of religious minority refugees from Syria and their relationships with host communities, including institutions (government, non-governmental, civil society, faith-based organisations, religious advocacy groups, and religious leaders). My previous research examined this nexus (between religion, minority identities, and refugee populations) in the context of Jordan. A consultancy project for NCA also examined this question in the context of Turkey.

Media Appearances:

Radio Appearances:

(2015) ABC Radio

Why religion matters when assessing refugee status