Are you an enthusiastic researcher and inspiring teacher with expertise in interdisciplinary research on issues of migrant inclusion, social inequalities and governance of migration-related diversity in relation to digitalisation? Then you have a part to play as an assistant professor in our university-wide RUNOMI network that strives for academic excellence and societal impact.
The mental health of refugee populations across Europe is problematic. In these populations, the occurrence of mental disorders such as PTSD is substantially higher than in the native population or other migrant populations. Research has attributed this to factors related to the forced nature of migration, distinguishing between pre-migration, travel and transit, post-migration and integration and settlement-related factors. Across Europe, refugees are amongst the most vulnerable members of society and are often faced with xenophobia, discrimination, poor living, housing and working conditions, and inadequate access to health services despite frequent physical and mental health problems.
To foster refugee mental health, there is a growing body of knowledge stressing the relevance of social participation of refugees and asylum seekers in different key spheres of the host societies. Furthermore, a number of local psychosocial support interventions have been implemented effectively. Social participation is important for enhancing resilience through re-establishing social lives in the new societies as a protective factor against poor mental health, involving dimensions of participation related to conditions and frameworks, institutions and organisations, as well as informal communities and associations.
Despite the group’s vulnerable health situation, refugees lack access to mental health services that are responsive to their needs. Cultural awareness and competence among providers and language-appropriate services are some of the barriers to accessing mental health service.
This position contributes to the realisation of RUNOMI’s ambition to foster mental health, psychosocial well-being and participation of refugees by developing a better understanding of the determinants and interrelations of refugee mental health, psychosocial well-being and participation, as well as of the relevance of local support and factors inhibiting their access to suitable mental health services. A substantial part of the research agenda focuses on the efficacy of local policy initiatives aimed at strengthening community capacity for and access to mental health care through the provision of information, for example through e-health services, engagement with migrant communities to foster empowerment and self-help capacities, and capacity training of health care workers and other relevant local actors fostering societal participation to provide culturally sensitive services. The research agenda combines relevant quantitative as well as qualitative research designs (e.g. effect studies, surveys, field experiments, stakeholder interviews, focus groups, participatory research).
More details about this position here
Application deadline: 10 November 2024