Theme: Navigating maths in a new language and culture

Alice Icely, a doctoral researcher at the School of Education, Humanities and Languages at Oxford Brookes University, will introduce her research study on the experiences of sanctuary-seeking (refugee and asylum-seeking) adolescents learning mathematics in England.

Young people seeking sanctuary spend a substantial amount of time studying mathematics, a subject that plays a crucial role in shaping their future educational and employment opportunities. Despite this, there is currently very little research that focuses specifically on their experiences in maths education. This study aims to help address that gap.

The research involves semi‑structured interviews with:

•        sanctuary‑seeking students aged 16–19 who are currently studying maths, and

•        the educators and support staff who work with them.

The goal is to generate insights that can help educators, schools, and policymakers better understand and support this group of learners.

This online session offers an opportunity to learn more about this research study, explore how to support this important work, and share insights and experiences related to the topic.