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Leonie  Ansems de Vries

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 and Director of Research in the Department of War Studies. She is also the Director of the King's Sanctuary Programme and Chair of the Migration Research Group. Leonie co-founded and co-chairs the Higher Education Humanitarian Group.

Leonie combines critical theoretical approaches with extensive empirical research using collaborative and arts-based methodologies. She brings together research on migration, borders and the politics of violence with practical action and policy development on safe pathways, including the development of safe pathways into UK higher education for displaced students and academics.

Leonie is the author of Re-Imagining a Politics of Life: From Governance of Order to Politics of Movement (Rowman and Littlefield International, 2014). Her forthcoming book, Politics of Exhaustion (Bristol University Press, 2025) examines the ways in which exhaustion is employed as a tool of governance to control forced migrants and how it is endured and resisted as a lived experience. Her research has also appeared in journals such as Review of International Studies, International Political Sociology, Environment and Planning D: Society and Space, Geopolitics, and Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, and on online media platforms such as openDemocracy and The Conversation.

Research Interests

  • Politics of violence
  • Migration, borders and sanctuary
  • Critical approaches to international politics
  • Co-creative and arts-based methodologies

PhD Supervision

Leonie is happy to consider providing PhD supervision in any area of her research interest.

Recent Publications

For a full list of publications, please consult the King’s Research Portal.

Research

DYLDnpuXcAYRMDU
Research Centre in International Relations (RCIR)

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

780x440 Migrateful 5
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

Migrateful food
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 refugee tents PROMO 780x440
Migration Research Group

Challenging negative narratives surrounding migration in Europe and beyond

mental health conflict hero
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&ConPROMO
Arts & Conflict Hub

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

RP network - new banner
Refugee Mental Health and Place Network

Network exploring post-migration and refugee mental health

News

Announcing Belongings, part of King's Culture's new programme of art and ideas.

Susan Aldworth’s new exhibition explores how migration stories shape British identity, revealing the need for empathy and meaningful dialogue.

A window filled with small white dresses hanging up. The white dresses have black and white pictures printed on them

King's awarded University of Sanctuary status

National award recognises King's continued determination to aid those forcibly displaced

University of Sanctuary Award

Student and academic refugees transform stories of displacement into art

Students and academics with backgrounds of forced displacement took part in a two-day creative arts workshop at King’s, to explore concepts around ‘home in...

Students and academics with experience of forced displacement visited King's for a workshop

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.

Academic Sanctuaries Symposium April 2023

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...

Image showing barbed wire and group of individuals with bags

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...

Image of a globe with a purple night sky to the right side, there is white text on the right hand side: Refugee Week 19-25 July 2023

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...

Five panelists sitting on a stage, taking part in a discussion for an academic sypmosium

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.

A montage of media and events which were part of the Ukraine Explained campaign

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.

A red flag with the King's College London logo

Help support King's refugee sponsorship scheme

Discover how you can support King’s commitment to be a Refugees Welcome University.

The Al Shaabin family with members of the Peckham Sponsors Refugees local residents group

Events

02Oct1-780x440-belongings-exhibitionleadimage

BELONGINGS: Exhibition

Visit this new, free exhibition in The Arcade challenging anti-immigration narratives and creating pathways of belonging with people seeking sanctuary.

23Oct3-780x440-belongings-matarfilmscreening

BELONGINGS: Film screening – MATAR + Q&A with film director Hassan Akkad

Join us to watch this short film exploring lived experience of the harsh realities of the UK’s broken asylum system.

30Oct5-780x440-belongings-commissionreportlaunch

Report launch: From Arrival to Integration: Building communities for refugees and for Britain

Join us for the regional launch of the Commission on the Integration of Refugees report From Arrival to Integration: Building communities for refugees and for...

08OctImage: Es Devlin and Ekow Eshun, photo by Linda Nylind

Entanglement

Es Devlin, Ekow Eshun, Eid Aljazairli and Dr Leonie Ansems de Vries discuss the entangled histories of migration and colonialism.

Please note: this event has passed.

02Oct1-780x440-belongings-exhibitionleadimage

BELONGINGS: Exhibition

Visit this new, free exhibition in The Arcade challenging anti-immigration narratives and creating pathways of belonging with people seeking sanctuary.

23Oct3-780x440-belongings-matarfilmscreening

BELONGINGS: Film screening – MATAR + Q&A with film director Hassan Akkad

Join us to watch this short film exploring lived experience of the harsh realities of the UK’s broken asylum system.

30Oct6-780x440-belongings-expertpanelsafepathways

Report launch: From Arrival to Integration: Building communities for refugees and for Britain

Join us for the regional launch of the Commission on the Integration of Refugees report From Arrival to Integration: Building communities for refugees and for...

06MarRetelling migration

Affective Bordering: Emotional Migration Control and the Threat of ‘Remigration’

This talk delves into the emotional dynamics driving contemporary border practices.

Please note: this event has passed.

01MarWays of belonging event image

Book launch: 'Ways of Belonging: Undocumented Youth in the Shadow of Illegality’

Book launch for 'Ways of Belonging: Undocumented Youth in the Shadow of Illegality’

Please note: this event has passed.

17JanNew Voices December 2023

Contemporary Humanitarian Challenges: Bordering and Migration Control

Join us for the third seminar in the New Voices in Global Security seminar series.

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.

1903 Ukraine Header

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 are welcome

Refugees Welcome: Community Sponsorship as a pathway to refugee protection in the UK

King’s is spearheading an innovative refugee community sponsorship project

Informal migrant settlement in Calais (2016)

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

1800x500 Migrateful

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.

spotlight-covid-1920

Research

DYLDnpuXcAYRMDU
Research Centre in International Relations (RCIR)

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

780x440 Migrateful 5
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

Migrateful food
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 refugee tents PROMO 780x440
Migration Research Group

Challenging negative narratives surrounding migration in Europe and beyond

mental health conflict hero
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&ConPROMO
Arts & Conflict Hub

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

RP network - new banner
Refugee Mental Health and Place Network

Network exploring post-migration and refugee mental health

News

Announcing Belongings, part of King's Culture's new programme of art and ideas.

Susan Aldworth’s new exhibition explores how migration stories shape British identity, revealing the need for empathy and meaningful dialogue.

A window filled with small white dresses hanging up. The white dresses have black and white pictures printed on them

King's awarded University of Sanctuary status

National award recognises King's continued determination to aid those forcibly displaced

University of Sanctuary Award

Student and academic refugees transform stories of displacement into art

Students and academics with backgrounds of forced displacement took part in a two-day creative arts workshop at King’s, to explore concepts around ‘home in...

Students and academics with experience of forced displacement visited King's for a workshop

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.

Academic Sanctuaries Symposium April 2023

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...

Image showing barbed wire and group of individuals with bags

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...

Image of a globe with a purple night sky to the right side, there is white text on the right hand side: Refugee Week 19-25 July 2023

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...

Five panelists sitting on a stage, taking part in a discussion for an academic sypmosium

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.

A montage of media and events which were part of the Ukraine Explained campaign

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.

A red flag with the King's College London logo

Help support King's refugee sponsorship scheme

Discover how you can support King’s commitment to be a Refugees Welcome University.

The Al Shaabin family with members of the Peckham Sponsors Refugees local residents group

Events

02Oct1-780x440-belongings-exhibitionleadimage

BELONGINGS: Exhibition

Visit this new, free exhibition in The Arcade challenging anti-immigration narratives and creating pathways of belonging with people seeking sanctuary.

23Oct3-780x440-belongings-matarfilmscreening

BELONGINGS: Film screening – MATAR + Q&A with film director Hassan Akkad

Join us to watch this short film exploring lived experience of the harsh realities of the UK’s broken asylum system.

30Oct5-780x440-belongings-commissionreportlaunch

Report launch: From Arrival to Integration: Building communities for refugees and for Britain

Join us for the regional launch of the Commission on the Integration of Refugees report From Arrival to Integration: Building communities for refugees and for...

08OctImage: Es Devlin and Ekow Eshun, photo by Linda Nylind

Entanglement

Es Devlin, Ekow Eshun, Eid Aljazairli and Dr Leonie Ansems de Vries discuss the entangled histories of migration and colonialism.

Please note: this event has passed.

02Oct1-780x440-belongings-exhibitionleadimage

BELONGINGS: Exhibition

Visit this new, free exhibition in The Arcade challenging anti-immigration narratives and creating pathways of belonging with people seeking sanctuary.

23Oct3-780x440-belongings-matarfilmscreening

BELONGINGS: Film screening – MATAR + Q&A with film director Hassan Akkad

Join us to watch this short film exploring lived experience of the harsh realities of the UK’s broken asylum system.

30Oct6-780x440-belongings-expertpanelsafepathways

Report launch: From Arrival to Integration: Building communities for refugees and for Britain

Join us for the regional launch of the Commission on the Integration of Refugees report From Arrival to Integration: Building communities for refugees and for...

06MarRetelling migration

Affective Bordering: Emotional Migration Control and the Threat of ‘Remigration’

This talk delves into the emotional dynamics driving contemporary border practices.

Please note: this event has passed.

01MarWays of belonging event image

Book launch: 'Ways of Belonging: Undocumented Youth in the Shadow of Illegality’

Book launch for 'Ways of Belonging: Undocumented Youth in the Shadow of Illegality’

Please note: this event has passed.

17JanNew Voices December 2023

Contemporary Humanitarian Challenges: Bordering and Migration Control

Join us for the third seminar in the New Voices in Global Security seminar series.

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.

1903 Ukraine Header

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 are welcome

Refugees Welcome: Community Sponsorship as a pathway to refugee protection in the UK

King’s is spearheading an innovative refugee community sponsorship project

Informal migrant settlement in Calais (2016)

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

1800x500 Migrateful

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.

spotlight-covid-1920