June 18, 2019
For Immediate Release

Waterloo – World Refugee Day is held annually on June 20. The following Wilfrid Laurier University experts are available to comment on refugees, asylum, migration and related topics:

Heidi Ahonen is a professor of music therapy, registered psychotherapist and accredited music therapist. She is an expert on music therapy and its potential to support suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological trauma. She has worked with traumatized individuals, including refugees, using clinical improvisation, guided imagery and music. Contact: hahonen@wlu.ca.

Bree Akesson is an associate professor of social work, associate director of the Centre for Research on Security Practices and research associate with the International Migration Research Centre. She is an expert on war-affected and refugee children and families. She is available to comment on refugee family issues in a variety of international contexts, including Afghanistan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Uganda. Contact: bakesson@wlu.ca or 519.761.8022. Read more about her work.

Robert McLeman is an associate professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies. He is an expert on the human dimensions of climate change, including the relationship between the environment and human migration, community adaptation to climatic variability and change and citizen participation in environmental science. A former Canadian foreign service officer, he has advised various governments and international agencies on issues related to climate change, migration and security. Contact: rmcleman@wlu.ca or 519.884.1970 x2653.

Kim Rygiel is an associate professor in the Department of Political Science and the Balsillie School of International Affairs and associate director of the International Migration Research Centre. She is an expert on citizenship politics, migration and asylum, and border security. She is available for comment on humanitarian aid responses to emergencies involving Syrian refugees in Turkey and on how communities can foster cultural pluralism. Contact: krygiel@wlu.ca. Read more about her work.

Abdelfettah Elkchirid is an assistant professor in the Faculty of Social Work and a practicing social worker. He is an expert on cross-cultural social work practice, international social work and social work practice with refugees, survivors of trauma and survivors of torture. He is also active in the refugee community in Waterloo Region, including with Muslim Social Services Kitchener Waterloo and Reception House Waterloo Region, and has been recognized with an Award of Distinction by World Refugee Day of Waterloo Region. Contact: aelkchirid@wlu.ca.