ABSTRACTThe Tigray conflict, which erupted in November 2020, has inflicted profound human suffering, with one of the most distressing dimensions being Conflict-Related Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (CR-SGBV). This thesis aims to provide a meticulous exploration of the background, prevalence, and ramifications of CR-SGBV in the Tigray region, shedding light on the experiences of survivors, the tactics employed, and the inadequacies of response mechanisms. It also delves into the implications for international humanitarian law, the role of armed forces, and the urgent need for accountability and redress.

Health inequalities persist in refugees due to a variety of social determinants of health. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these health disparities among refugee populations. This honors thesis investigates the impact of COVID-19 on refugee health in Phoenix, Arizona through interviews with refugee professionals and resettled refugees. The project seeks to understand the challenges faced by refugees in Phoenix, the strategies enacted by different organizations to assist refugees, and proposes recommendations to improve the response for refugees in future health crises.

In this formative research project, we seek to better understand the general barriers to refugee access to higher education. Using mixed methods research--which included surveys, interviews, and course data--we evaluate the benefits and challenges experienced by refugee students in Israel who are enrolled in Arizona State University's Education for Humanity programs. In the end, this case study resulted in 24 recommend programmatic changes designed to eliminate the barriers that prevent refugee students from accessing and succeeding in higher education.

In this formative research project, we seek to better understand the general barriers to refugee access to higher education. Using mixed methods research--which included surveys, interviews, and course data--we evaluate the benefits and challenges experienced by refugee students in Israel who are enrolled in Arizona State University's Education for Humanity programs. In the end, this case study resulted in 24 recommend programmatic changes designed to eliminate the barriers that prevent refugee students from accessing and succeeding in higher education.

The North Korean refugee crisis is a long-standing political issue that has persisted since the Korean War, resulting in thousands of North Koreans fleeing each year. However, despite its persistent nature, both the Chinese government and the international community have failed to alleviate systematic migratory issues resulting from Chinese policy towards the refugees. This essay aims to analyze Chinese policy towards the North Korean refugee crisis, specifically through its categorization of North Koreans as “economic migrants” rather than refugees. After reviewing both the conditions within North Korea that cause refugee flight and the pathways of escape through China, the paper shows that China is violating multiple parts of international refugee law as set up by the 1951 Refugee Convention, such as issues of non-refoulement and discrimination. Additionally, I argue that North Koreans are refugees in the traditional definition and refugees sur place. Similarly, this paper discusses the historical and political reasoning for Chinese policy towards refugees in the context of its economic and security relationship with the North Korean state, as well as the implications of the relationships for North Korean refugees. From this, the resilient nature of the crisis is established, as well as the notable security obstacles that must be navigated and incorporated in any feasible solutions. Finally, this paper proposes possible solutions to the crisis, such as moving away from “defector” terminology, linking international policy to refugee outcomes, structuring refugee law around global burden-sharing rather than regional prioritizations, and expanding the definition of refugee to more accurately reflect causes of displacement in Asia.