Apart and a Part: Resettling Syrian and Iraqi Refugee Children in Icelandic Society

In 2023, the Icelandic Government´s Research Council awarded one “Project of Excellence” grant in the humanities and social sciences to a project that aims to critically explore the education and social inclusion of Syrian and Iraqi refugee children and youth that arrived in Iceland between 2015-2019  and the structures created for their learning and well-being in their social and educational settings. 

Magnús Bernhardsson (History/Arabic Studies/Global Studies) is one of the two Principal Investigators of this multi-year project, which is the first extensive research project on  refugee groups in Iceland. Now in its second year and with data collection wrapping up (qualitative and quantitative), Bernhardsson will report on how the study is being conducted, some of the early surprising findings especially related to language acquisition, religion, race, and trust and will highlight some key possible political and cultural implications. The project is supposed to deliver findings to the Icelandic government and relevant institutions by the summer of 2026. Therefore it is essential for the researchers to receive questions and feedback at this stage of the project. 

Co-sponsored by Global Studies and Arabic Studies

Magnús Bernhardsson is Brown Professor of History, Faculty Affiliate in Arabic Studies, Leadership Studies, and Religion, and Chair of Global Studies at Williams College.