About Us
CAPRS envisions a future where forcibly displaced people are represented, respected and supported, and meaningfully engaged in research, policy and programming that impact their lives.
Image by Adel Salmanzadeh
Established in 2020 as a research centre at Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland, the Centre for Asia Pacific Refugee Studies (CAPRS) is uniquely positioned to advance our vision and mission as a critic and conscience of society*. CAPRS is comprised of a transdisciplinary group of scholars and practitioners committed to transforming research into impact.
Situated in Aotearoa New Zealand, we are committed to upholding the principles, rights, and obligations articulated in Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi), the country’s founding document. Our location positions us as a hub for addressing displacement challenges across the Asia Pacific region and beyond. By leveraging Aotearoa New Zealand’s strong traditions of diplomacy, human rights advocacy, and expertise in indigenous rights and environmental sustainability, CAPRS offers a valuable perspective for understanding and responding to issues of forced displacement, social justice, and human security.
*The term ‘critic and conscience of society’ is enshrined in New Zealand’s Education Act 1989 and its update in 2020. The term confers a special role and responsibility on universities and academics to speak out in public and to challenge problematic ideas.