Research
Country Information Centre and Research, Information & Policy Unit
- Formerly known as the Research & Information Unit (RIU) -
Contents
About us
Services: Country of Origin Court Reports
Services: IAS Bulletin
Research Projects
Research & Information Unit Publications
News
Contact Us
Vacancies
Useful links
About us
IAS’ Country Information Centre (CIC), formerly known as the Research and Information Unit (RIU), has undertaken country of origin information research for asylum cases since 1997. Staffed by trained COI researchers the unit produces over 120 objective COI reports per month, which form part of the objective evidence in applications to UKBA case owners, in submissions to the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal (AIT) and in applications to the Higher Courts. Whilst predominantly human rights focused, the COI researchers also examine the social, political and economic environment that exists in asylum seekers’ countries of origin.
The specialist COI researchers are also engaged in specific strategic research projects related to the current issues surrounding COI production and usage, within the IAS Research, Information & Policy Unit (RIPU), formerly known as RIU. Please see below for a list of publications and current research projects.
The CIC is represented in the following fora, where it actively participates in COI related discussions: Country of Origin Information Practitioners Forum (COIPF) and the Refugee and Asylum Forum (RAF). Furthermore, it has close working relationships with the newly established Office of the Chief Inspector of the UKBA and its body the Independent Advisory Group on Country Information (IAGCI).
Services: Country of Origin Court Reports
Providing objective, concise, accurate, detailed information on country of origin situations, the CIC Country of Origin Court Report is produced specifically with the Immigration Practitioner in mind. Use our research team to find and present information relating to the issues of any individual case as requested. Taking into account key human rights reports, including up-to-date news stories and relevant cases designated by the AIT as current country guideline case law, CIC Country of Origin Court Reports are divided into relevant sections including web links to all source material, making accessibility a priority. Each country bundle
- is fully indexed and paginated
- contains relevant excerpts of country information under research headings for easy access
- contains case-specific comments under each research headings
- contains original source material with web links referred to under the research headings. These contain highlighted passages reflecting those selected in the excerpts section.
Costs
£280 per Country of Origin Court Report (More complicated reports might incur additional costs at £70/hour)
To order
Simply fill in the Research Request Form and send, where relevant, with the Reasons for Refusal letter, Witness Statement and any other supporting documents to
IAS Research and Information Unit
190 Great Dover Street
London
SE1 4YB
Email: research@iasuk.org
Fax: 0207 788 2940
Please note we require a minimum of 5 working days between the request and the deadline.
Services: IAS Bulletin
The IAS Bulletin is a time efficient, cost effective way for those working with immigrants and asylum seekers to keep up to date with the latest developments in this fast moving area of law.
The IAS Bulletin is an excellent resource for
- immigration and asylum practitioners working under tight funding contracts
- NGOs and community groups working with immigrants and asylum seekers
- those working towards the Legal Services Commission’s accreditation scheme
Latest developments in country information, changes in legislation and Home Office policy, forthcoming events and new resources are all highlighted in the fortnightly IAS Bulletin. The IAS Bulletin, typically of 10-15 pages, provides a concise update on current developments.
IAS Bulletin subscribers receive fortnightly publications direct to their email account with documents referred to in the Bulletin as hyperlinks or attachments. All subscribers receive an IAS prepared guide of how to subscribe to any hard copy materials featured in the Bulletin which are too large to scan (case law journals, academic journals etc.)
How to subscribe
An annual subscription to the IAS Bulletin costs £40. To subscribe simply print out and complete the IAS Bulletin order form and send it with a cheque to:
IAS Research and Information & Policy Unit
190 Great Dover Street
London
SE1 4YB
Cheques should be made payable to the Immigration Advisory Service (IAS). Any queries regarding the IAS Bulletin should be sent to research@iasuk.org
Samples
View a sample of the IAS Bulletin.
Research Projects
Current research projects
- BLF Project: The Research, Information & Policy Unit is currently being funded by the Big Lottery Fund for an 18 month multi stakeholder project on COI usage by practitioners, Immigration Judges and UKBA staff. The project will develop a publication which will include best practice guidance and training courses on COI for the different stakeholders who are involved in the refugee status determination process. Through identifying the barriers and facilitators to using and accessing COI, the programme seeks to train legal practitioners and other stakeholders in employing good practice. Furthermore, the project aims to stimulate debate about COI and its usage, and promote greater dialogue between stakeholders by bringing them together in non-adversarial settings. For more information, please click here. Natasha Tsangarides is the Project Manager. To access training packs please click here.
- APCI Project: The Research, Information & Policy Unit is also funded by the Nuffield Foundation for a 6 month project analysing the impact of the monitoring work of the Advisory Panel on Country Information (APCI). Jo Pettitt, Elizabeth Williams and Stephanie Huber are the main researchers on this project.
Forthcoming research projects
- Returns project: The Research, Information & Policy Unit has applied for funding to develop a pilot study entitled The post-return experience of rejected asylum seekers from the UK to Uganda. Working with Dr. Liza Schuster (City University, Sociology) and Dr. Chris Dolan (Director, Refugee Law Project, Kampala), the researchers at IAS will develop a template for monitoring the return of rejected asylum seekers from the UK and other EU member states. The study will use a networked form of research to develop a monitoring programme that follows asylum seekers from detention and deportation in the UK through to return in Uganda, and will track their experience over the year following their return. Issues considered in the study will include the safety and dignity of returns, the viability of reintegration and the issue of onward migration. The study’s finding will be analysed in relation to the use of country of origin information in the UK’s refugee determination process, and UKBA policy on returns. It is envisioned that the study will serve as a template for a broader project studying returns from several EU member states to several countries of return, and will facilitate consideration of monitoring systems amongst policy-makers and stake-holding NGOs. Matt Merefield and Stephanie Huber will lead the RIU components of the research.
- IFA project: This project seeks to challenge the current provision of COI that is used to support the assessment of an IFA in individual asylum claims. It will further suggest ways in which to improve the quality, access and use of COI in assessing the availability of an IFA with the aim of improving refugee status decision making. Elizabeth Williams and Jo Pettitt will lead this project.
- Plans are underway to begin a pilot project to study the impact of immigration law and practice on migrants’ lives and their ability to integrate into British society. This project will rely on the rich data available within IAS, the largest charity working in the field of immigration.
RIPU (formerly RIU) Publications
News
The Research, Information & Policy Unit has published new research on the use of Country of Origin Information (COI) in the refugee status determination process in the UK. Please click here to download the report, entitled The Use of Country of Origin Information: Critical Perspectives.
Contact Us
IAS Research, Information & Policy Unit / Country Information Centre
190 Great Dover Street
London
SE1 4YB
Email: research@iasuk.org
Fax: 0207 788 2940
Nirmala Rajasingam, Senior Research & Information Officer
Nirmala.rajasingam@iasuk.org
Main countries and areas of research: South Asia
Jo Pettitt, Research & Information Officer
Jo.Pettitt@iasuk.org
Main countries and areas of research: East Africa, West Africa, Middle East (except Iraq); IAS Bulletin; APCI project & IFA project
Elizabeth Williams, Research & Information Officer
Elizabeth.Williams@iasuk.org
Main countries and areas of research: Zimbabwe, Iraq, Iran, East and South East Asia (except Afghanistan); IAS Bulletin; APCI project & IFA project
Stephanie Huber, Research & Information Officer
Stephanie.Huber@iasuk.org
Main countries and areas of research: Central Africa, Southern Africa (except Zimbabwe), Iraq, Iran; IAS Bulletin; APCI project & Returns project
Matt Merefield, Research & Information Assistant
Matt.Merefield@iasuk.org
Main countries and areas of research: Horn of Africa, Afghanistan, Latin America & Caribbean; Returns project
Andrew Ong, Research & Information Assistant
Andrew.ong@iasuk.org
Natasha Tsangarides, BLF Project Manager
Natasha.tsangarides@iasuk.org
Vacancies
Internship programme
Twice a year we seek interns with human rights and/or asylum research experience to produce reports on human rights issues in asylum producing countries. Successful applicants will be able to commit to at least three days per week for a minimum of six months. Travel expenses and a daily lunch allowance will be covered. The next round of calls will take place in Spring 2010.
Past interns
Through our internship programme, the Research, Information & Policy Unit helps motivated graduate students develop the research skills necessary for effective careers as human rights researchers, caseworkers etc. Our commitment to providing professional support and development for interns does not end with their internship. We keep in touch with past interns and follow their careers. Most recently, our interns have gone on to work as a United Nations Volunteer (UNV), work for Wilsons & Co, a leading London based immigration law firm, Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), the London Detainee Support Group (LDSG), and within IAS itself.
Useful links
COI databases
Electronic Immigration Network
www.ein.org.uk – Subscription only
European Country of Origin Information Network
www.ecoi.net
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada – Responses to Information Requests
www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/Eng/resrec/rirdi/Pages/index.aspx
UNHCR’s Refworld
www.refworld.org