'We are still here': The stories of Syrian academics in exile

Purpose

The purposes of this paper are twofold: to generate insight into the experiences of Syrian

academics in exile in Turkey, and to explore approaches to collaboration and community building

among academics in exile and with counterparts in the international academic community.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs a hybrid visual-autobiographical narrative methodology, embedded within a

Large Group Process (LGP) design

Findings

Findings are presented in two phases: The first phase presents a thematic analysis of narrative

data, revealing the common and divergent experiences of twelve exiled academics. The second

phase presents a reflective evaluation of undertaking the LGP and its implications for community building and sustaining Syrian academia in exile.

Research limitations

While this is a qualitative study with a small participant group, and therefore does not provide a basis for statistical generalisation, it offers rich insight into Syrian academics’ lived experiences of exile, and into strategies implemented to support the Syrian academic community in exile.

Practical implications

The study has practical implications for academic development in the contexts of conflict and

exile; community building among dispersed academic communities; educational interventions by

international NGOs and the international academic community; and group process design.

Originality/value

The study makes an original contribution to the limited literature on post-2011 Syrian higher

education by giving voice to a community of exiled academics, and by critically evaluating a

strategic initiative for supporting and sustaining Syrian academia. This represents significant,

transferable insight for comparable contexts.