Blog by Eunuk Kim, MSc Education for Sustainable Futures in Adult, Community & Youth Contexts (University of Glasgow)
While doing my collaborative dissertation with MPS, I learned how theoretical knowledge could solve real-world problems. From the start of my master’s program, I hoped to make a positive impact beyond academia, and collaborating with Migration Policy Scotland (MPS) allowed me to achieve this goal.
The project focused on employment barriers faced by Ukrainian refugees in Scotland. Unlike traditional dissertations, this work required aligning my research interests with MPS’s objectives while following academic guidance. Initially, narrowing down the topic to a manageable scope within nine months was challenging, but eventually, we decided to focus on employment barriers, a critical issue for Ukrainian refugee integration. This focus not only addressed a key societal need but also allowed me to explore Scotland’s policies and cultural landscape in greater depth.
As an international student unfamiliar with Scotland’s policies and cultural context, adapting and learning quickly was challenging. The support I received from MPS was invaluable—they provided data, helped me connect with interviewees, and ensured I could work independently. This collaboration not only deepened my understanding of integration challenges but also allowed me to approach the research from a neutral perspective, critically analysing policies and their impact on Ukrainian refugees’ daily lives.
Through my interviews and as I reviewed the existing literature, I was able to identify common barriers to the labour market faced by refugees, while also narrowing my focus to the specific circumstances of Ukrainians in Scotland. Literature offered a foundation of past knowledge, but the interviews provided real-time insights into the current situation, making it possible to bridge theory and practice effectively. This dynamic approach made the research not only academically rigorous but also practically impactful.
One of the most memorable experiences was interviewing professionals who work directly with Ukrainian refugees. These conversations revealed systemic barriers, such as balancing childcare with language learning and navigating the UK’s complex qualification recognition process. They also highlighted cultural differences that could limit employment opportunities. For example, many Ukrainian women face difficulties attending language classes because of childcare responsibilities. Recognizing this, I proposed integrating childcare services with language education to address both needs simultaneously.
The research also gave me an opportunity to analyse how the concept of “integration from day one,” emphasized in the New Scots Integration Strategy, is being implemented in practice. It highlighted how services, when designed from the perspective of the recipient rather than the provider, could better support Ukrainian refugees. For example, while many Scots rely on government websites for information, Ukrainians often use platforms like Telegram. Adapting communication strategies to include such platforms could make critical resources more accessible to refugees.
Another key insight was the need to streamline Scotland’s qualification recognition process. Prolonged delays in recognizing foreign qualifications prevent Ukrainian refugees from contributing their skills to the workforce, despite Scotland’s significant shortage of skilled workers in sectors like education and healthcare. Establishing programs such as “Apprenticeships Combined with Qualification Transfer” could address this issue, creating a win-win solution for both refugees and the Scottish economy.
Volunteering also emerged as a powerful tool to bridge the gap between Ukrainian refugees and the local labour markets. Encouraging Ukrainian refugees to volunteer could help them to gain UK work experience, improve their English skills, and build community connections. Beyond these practical benefits, volunteering fosters a sense of belonging and empowerment, helping refugees transition from being recipients of aid to active contributors to society.
While expanding resources exclusively for Ukrainian refugees might raise concerns about equity, tailoring services to meet their unique needs can make resource use more efficient and even serve as a model for supporting other refugee groups. For instance, integrated childcare-language programs could later be extended to other communities facing similar challenges.
To maximize impact within constrained resources, it is essential to shift from short-term, reactive measures to long-term, sustainable strategies. Many current policies were designed under the assumption that the war in Ukraine would end quickly. Now, nearly three years into the conflict, a more forward-looking approach is clearly needed.
Aligning the policies of the Scottish and UK governments is another critical consideration. While the Ukraine Permission Extension scheme by the UK government is a step in the right direction, the lack of a clear settlement route suggests a preference for temporary solutions. A well-coordinated, long-term policy framework would benefit both the Ukrainian refugees and the broader community.
This dissertation was more than an academic exercise; it was a transformative journey. It showed me how research can drive policy change and foster social inclusion. More importantly, it reinforced the importance of empathy and collaboration in addressing societal challenges. I’m truly grateful for this experience, which has profoundly shaped my academic and personal growth.
Eunuk Kim graduated with distinction in MSc Education for Sustainable Futures in Adult, Community & Youth Contexts from the University of Glasgow in 2024. His academic journey, which includes studies in South Korea, China, and the UK, has shaped his interest in creating inclusive societies and addressing refugee integration challenges by applying academic insights to real-world social issues. As part of the University of Glasgow’s challenge-based dissertation programme, he collaborated with Migration Policy Scotland to produce his dissertation, ‘Pathways to Integration: Language, Education, and Employment Opportunities for Ukrainian Refugees in Scotland.’
The views expressed in this blog are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of Migration Policy Scotland.
