Is Colonization a Metaphor in Refugee Education?

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Wednesday 4:20 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 1
  In Roundtable Session: Settler Colonialism Is Not a Metaphor (Table 1)

Abstract

This study explores the influence of colonial legacies on refugee education, examining how historical power dynamics shape contemporary educational practices. Utilizing Aníbal Quijano's "coloniality of power," the research investigates the deficit-based approach, marginalization, and cultural suppression experienced by refugee students. Through qualitative methods, including workshops with Syrian and Iraqi refugee students, the study reveals how educational systems prioritize host nation norms, marginalize refugee voices, and perpetuate colonial biases. The findings highlight the need for inclusive, participatory educational policies that recognize and empower refugee students' cultural identities and contributions, aiming to foster a more equitable and just educational environment for displaced populations.

Author

• Adnan Turan, Arizona State University