
Dr Leonie Ansems de Vries
Reader in International Politics
- Director of the King's Sanctuary Programme
Research interests
- International relations
- Politics
Biography
Dr Leonie Ansems de Vries is a Reader in International Politics, Director of the King's Sanctuary Programme and Chair of the Migration Research Group. She previously lectured at Queen Mary, University of London and the University of Nottingham in Malaysia. She holds a PhD in War Studies from King’s College London.
Her research interests include: governance and resistance in global politics, migration and refugees, critical approaches to security and conflict, and the politics of life and security. Her monograph entitled Re-Imagining a Politics of Life: From Governance of Order to Politics of Movement (Rowman and Littlefield) was published in November 2014. Her research has also appeared in journals such as Review of International Studies, International Political Sociology, Environment and Planning D: Society and Space, and Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies. She has also written a series of articles on the migration management and migrant struggles for openDemocracy .
She is Co-Investigator of the international ORA/ESRC-funded research project GUARDINT, which seeks to bridge the gap between increasingly transnational surveillance practices and national oversight mechanisms.
From 2015-2017, She co-led the collaborative ESRC-funded research project ‘Documenting the Humanitarian Migration Crisis in the Mediterranean’, which examined the effects of migration management practices on people seeking refuge in Europe. Other projects include a policy/research project on legal pathways to protection in Europe and the academic/arts projects 'We are in between' and 'Migrant Voices in London'.
Research Interests
- Governance and resistance in global politics
- Migration and refugees: especially migration management practices and migration struggles; refugee subjectivities; and, legal pathways to protection
- Critical approaches to security and conflict
- The politics of life and security
PhD Supervision
Leonie is happy to supervise PhD students in the following subject areas:
- Migration and Refugees
- International Relations Theory
- Critical Security Studeis
- Governance and resistance in global politics
Selected Publications
Book
2014, Re-Imagining a Politics of Life: From Governance of Order to Politics of Movement (Rowman and Littlefield International)
Research articles
2019 'The Crafting of a Paradox: Schengen inside and out (with Christina Oelgemoller and Kees Groenendijk), International Journal of Migration and Border Studies
2019 ‘Seeking Refuge in Europe: Spaces of Transit and the Violence of Migration Management (with Elspeth Guild), Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies 45(12)
2018,‘Violent Governance, Identity and the Production of Legitimacy: Autodefensas in Latin America’ (with Alexander Curry), Journal of International Relations and Development
2018,‘Violent Governance, Identity and the Production of Legitimacy: Autodefensas in Latin America’ (with Alexander Curry), Journal of International Relations and Development (online first)
2018 ‘Seeking Refuge in Europe: Spaces of Transit and the Violence of Migration Management (with Elspeth Guild), Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies (online first).
2017, ‘Fracturing Politics’ (with Lara Montesinos Coleman, Martina Tazzioli, Doerthe Rosenow and Rolando Vazquez), International Political Sociology, 11(1)
2016, ‘Politics of (In)visibility. Governance-Resistance and the Constitution of Refugees in Malaysia’, Review of International Studies, 42(5)
2015, ‘Opposing the Opposition? Binarity and Complexity in Political Resistance’ (with Doerthe Rosenow), Environment and Planning D: Society and Space, 33(6)
2013, ‘Political Life Beyond the Biopolitical?’, Theoria: A Journal of Social and Political Theory, 60(134)
2009, ‘Hobbes, War, Movement’ (with Jorg Spieker), Global Society, 23(4)
2008, ‘(The War on) Terrorism: destruction, collapse, mixture, re-enforcement, construction’, Cultural Politics, 4(2)
Book chapters
2013, Politics on the Line’ in Bradley Evans and Julian Reid (eds.), Fascism in Gilles Deleuze and Felix Guatarri: Securitisation, War & Aesthetics(Routledge)
2010, ‘Hobbes War Movement’ (with Jorg Spieker) in Nicholas Kiersey and Doug Stokes (eds.) Foucault and International Relations. New Critical Engagements (Routledge)
Policy Papers
2018, ‘Legal Pathways to Protection: Towards the Provision of Safe, Legal and Accessible Routes for Refugees and Vulnerable Migrants’ (with Jean-Pierre Gauci and Henry Redwood)
2017,'Strengthening the Common European Asylum System' (with Elspeth Guild) in Euromed Survey, 7th edition (European Institute of the Mediterranean)
2016, 'Documenting the Migration Crisis in the Mediterranean' (with Sergio Carrera and Elspeth Guild), CEPS Paper in Liberty and Security in Europe, No. 94
Research

Research Centre in International Relations
The Research Centre in International Relations conducts research on practices of security and conflict, their transformation, and their social and political implications.

Kneading Knowledge: Virtual Sharing of Embodied Knowledge of Migration Through Online Cooking
Kneading Knowledge, with the charity Migrateful, offers staff & students chances to explore embodied experiences of migration through online cookery classes.
Project status: Completed

Breaking Bread
In May 2020, the AHRI provided an opportunity for staff to support charity Migrateful via online cookery classes led by refugees, asylum seekers & migrants.
Project status: Completed

Migration Research Group
The Migration Research Group is an interdisciplinary group of staff and students with an interest in the study of migration.

Centre for Conflict & Health Research
Cross disciplinary initiative studying the intersection of global health, security, and political governance in conflict-affected fragile states and regions.

Arts & Conflict Hub
The Arts & Conflicts hub uses artistic mediums to communicate, teach and research the complexities of conflict

Refugee Mental Health and Place Network
A growing network of interdisciplinary researchers and community organisations exploring post-migration factors and refugee mental health
News
Meet: King's Sanctuary Programme team
We spoke with the members of King’s Sanctuary team to learn more about the valuable work they do in supporting refugees in Higher Education.

What is the world's problem with migration?
A new podcast episode looks at why migration is such a key topic for the world today and the impact of some current policies being used to try to curb...

King's puts 'Compassion into Action' for Refugee Week 2023
This week (19-25 June) marks Refugee Week, for which the theme is ‘Compassion into Action’. As a university, King’s strives to ensure individuals affected by...

Symposium brings leading voices together to better support Ukraine and beyond
Universities, charities and donors at the forefront of supporting students and academics impacted by the war in Ukraine came together at King’s to reflect on...

King's recognised in national awards for sharing expertise on the Ukraine War
King’s was highly commended at a national communications award for helping inform public discourse around the Ukraine War.

XTX Markets makes £3M donation to support displaced students and academics
King's has received a £3 million donation to support students and academics impacted by the war in Ukraine through the launch of a new Sanctuary Hub.

Help support King's refugee sponsorship scheme
Discover how you can support King’s commitment to be a Refugees Welcome University.

Help support King's refugee sponsorship scheme
Discover how you can support King’s commitment to be a Refugees Welcome University

COVID-19 and its impact on refugee populations
An interview with Dr Leonie Ansems de Vries on how COVID-19 is impacting vulnerable refugee populations.

Award winning migrant artist donates artwork to King's
Anna Virabyan has gifted a painting to the Department of War Studies for Refugee Week

Events

Refugee Week - Education Pathways
This event focuses on three higher education pathway initiatives for forced migrants.
Please note: this event has passed.

King's Experts Series: Forced Displacement and Seeking Sanctuary
The King’s Experts Series is a series of events exclusively for King’s alumni, this webinar will spotlight the work of King's Sanctuary Programme.
Please note: this event has passed.

The ethics of solidarity, community and care
International Relations and Ethics video screening and interactive panel for the School of Security Studies Research Conference.
Please note: this event has passed.
Features
University Sponsorship: Providing sanctuary for Ukrainian students and academics
Members of the King’s community have hosted displaced students and academics.

Developing a university blueprint for sponsoring refugees
The invasion of Ukraine means we need to ramp up our existing work and experience with supporting Syrian refugees through community sponsorship.

Refugees Welcome: Community Sponsorship as a pathway to refugee protection in the UK
King’s is spearheading an innovative refugee community sponsorship project

King's staff take part in online cookery classes to support refugee charity Migrateful
King’s staff were taught recipes by Migrateful chefs as part of an AHRI Service opportunity

Spotlight
Spotlight on COVID: How the pandemic is affecting refugees
Dr Leonie Ansems de Vries shares how the pandemic has made conditions even worse for vulnerable refugee populations.

Research

Research Centre in International Relations
The Research Centre in International Relations conducts research on practices of security and conflict, their transformation, and their social and political implications.

Kneading Knowledge: Virtual Sharing of Embodied Knowledge of Migration Through Online Cooking
Kneading Knowledge, with the charity Migrateful, offers staff & students chances to explore embodied experiences of migration through online cookery classes.
Project status: Completed

Breaking Bread
In May 2020, the AHRI provided an opportunity for staff to support charity Migrateful via online cookery classes led by refugees, asylum seekers & migrants.
Project status: Completed

Migration Research Group
The Migration Research Group is an interdisciplinary group of staff and students with an interest in the study of migration.

Centre for Conflict & Health Research
Cross disciplinary initiative studying the intersection of global health, security, and political governance in conflict-affected fragile states and regions.

Arts & Conflict Hub
The Arts & Conflicts hub uses artistic mediums to communicate, teach and research the complexities of conflict

Refugee Mental Health and Place Network
A growing network of interdisciplinary researchers and community organisations exploring post-migration factors and refugee mental health
News
Meet: King's Sanctuary Programme team
We spoke with the members of King’s Sanctuary team to learn more about the valuable work they do in supporting refugees in Higher Education.

What is the world's problem with migration?
A new podcast episode looks at why migration is such a key topic for the world today and the impact of some current policies being used to try to curb...

King's puts 'Compassion into Action' for Refugee Week 2023
This week (19-25 June) marks Refugee Week, for which the theme is ‘Compassion into Action’. As a university, King’s strives to ensure individuals affected by...

Symposium brings leading voices together to better support Ukraine and beyond
Universities, charities and donors at the forefront of supporting students and academics impacted by the war in Ukraine came together at King’s to reflect on...

King's recognised in national awards for sharing expertise on the Ukraine War
King’s was highly commended at a national communications award for helping inform public discourse around the Ukraine War.

XTX Markets makes £3M donation to support displaced students and academics
King's has received a £3 million donation to support students and academics impacted by the war in Ukraine through the launch of a new Sanctuary Hub.

Help support King's refugee sponsorship scheme
Discover how you can support King’s commitment to be a Refugees Welcome University.

Help support King's refugee sponsorship scheme
Discover how you can support King’s commitment to be a Refugees Welcome University

COVID-19 and its impact on refugee populations
An interview with Dr Leonie Ansems de Vries on how COVID-19 is impacting vulnerable refugee populations.

Award winning migrant artist donates artwork to King's
Anna Virabyan has gifted a painting to the Department of War Studies for Refugee Week

Events

Refugee Week - Education Pathways
This event focuses on three higher education pathway initiatives for forced migrants.
Please note: this event has passed.

King's Experts Series: Forced Displacement and Seeking Sanctuary
The King’s Experts Series is a series of events exclusively for King’s alumni, this webinar will spotlight the work of King's Sanctuary Programme.
Please note: this event has passed.

The ethics of solidarity, community and care
International Relations and Ethics video screening and interactive panel for the School of Security Studies Research Conference.
Please note: this event has passed.
Features
University Sponsorship: Providing sanctuary for Ukrainian students and academics
Members of the King’s community have hosted displaced students and academics.

Developing a university blueprint for sponsoring refugees
The invasion of Ukraine means we need to ramp up our existing work and experience with supporting Syrian refugees through community sponsorship.

Refugees Welcome: Community Sponsorship as a pathway to refugee protection in the UK
King’s is spearheading an innovative refugee community sponsorship project

King's staff take part in online cookery classes to support refugee charity Migrateful
King’s staff were taught recipes by Migrateful chefs as part of an AHRI Service opportunity

Spotlight
Spotlight on COVID: How the pandemic is affecting refugees
Dr Leonie Ansems de Vries shares how the pandemic has made conditions even worse for vulnerable refugee populations.
