Dr. Sadia Khanum

PhD Theme/Topic: The Refugees Crisis and Management

Supervisor: 1. Dr. Sadia Khanum, Snr. Assistant Professor
Contact #: 03115607237
Email: sadia.buic@bahria.edu.pk
Campus/School/Dept: BUIC/H&SS/PhD
RAC Approved Supervisor for Research Areas: South Asia, Peace and Conflict Study, Security and Foreign Policy
Supervisory Record:
PhD Produced: 0
PhD Enrolled: 1
MS/MPhil Produced: 07
MS/MPhil Enrolled: 10

Supervisor: 2. Dr Saira Nawaz Abbasi, Associate Professor
Contact #: 03335395830
Email: sairanawaz.buic@bahria.edu.pk
CaMpus/School/Dept: BUIC/H&SS/PhD
RAC Approved Supervisor for Research Areas: Russia, World Order, Security and Foreign Policy
Supervisory Record:
PhD Produced: 0
PhD Enrolled: 1
MS/MPhil Produced: 12
MS/MPhil Enrolled: 08 

Topic Brief Description:

The Refugee Crisis and Management refers to the large-scale displacement of people due to conflict, persecution, political instability, economic collapse, and environmental or climate-related disasters, and the strategies adopted by states and international actors to respond to it. The crisis places significant humanitarian, social, economic, and security pressures on host countries, particularly in developing regions. Effective refugee management involves legal protection, humanitarian assistance, integration or repatriation policies, and international burden-sharing, while balancing national security concerns, resource constraints, and human rights obligations.

Research Objectives / Deliverables:

• To analyze the root causes and patterns of refugee crises at regional and global levels.
• To assess the effectiveness of national and international refugee management frameworks and policies.
• To examine the socio-economic, political, and security impacts of refugees on host states and communities.
• To evaluate the role of international organizations, NGOs, and regional mechanisms in refugee protection and assistance
• To develop policy-oriented recommendations for sustainable, rights-based, and security-sensitive refugee management.

Research Questions:

• What are the primary drivers behind contemporary refugee crises?
• How effective are existing national and international refugee management policies in addressing large-scale displacement?
• What challenges do host states face in balancing humanitarian responsibilities with security and economic concerns?
• How do refugee inflows affect host communities in social, economic, and political terms?
• What strategies can improve international cooperation, burden-sharing, and long-term solutions for refugees? Bottom of Form

 Candidate’s Eligibility Profile:

1. The applicant must have an MS/MPhil/Equivalent degree in International Relations with CGPA > 3.0.
2. Proficiency in spoken and written English is essential. We value independence and responsibility while promoting teamwork and collaboration among colleagues.