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
- ‘Together We Prepare a Feast, Each Person Stirring Up Memory’, Humanities 12: 98, 2023 (with Ed Stevens, Anna Khlusova, Sarah Fine, Ammar Azzouz)
- 'Politics of Knowledge Production in the Global Compact for Migration', Interventions: International Journal of Postcolonial Studies 23:2 2021 (with Katharine Weatherhead)
- 'Immoral Borders in Practice', Geopolitics 26:5 2021 (with Nora El Qadim, Beste Isleyen, Signe Sofie Hansen, Sibel Karadag, Debbie Lisle and Damien Simonneau)
- 'The crafting of a paradox: Schengen inside and out', International Journal of Migration and Border Studies 6(1/2): 7-25, 2020 (with Christina Oelgemoller and Kees Groenendijk)
- ‘Violent Governance,Identity and the Production of Legitimacy: Autodefensas in Latin America’ , Journal of International Relations and Development 23(2), 2020 (with Alexander Curry)
- ‘Seeking Refuge in Europe: Spaces of Transit and the Violence of Migration Management', Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies 45(12) 2019 (with Elspeth Guild)
- Fracturing Politics (Or, How to Avoid the Tacit Reproduction of Modern/Colonial Ontologies in Critical Thought) (pp. 90-108), International Political Sociology, 11(1), 2017 (with Lara Montesinos Coleman, Martina Tazzioli, Doerthe Rosenow and Rolando Vazquez)
- ‘Politics of (In)visibility. Governance-Resistance and the Constitution of Refugees in Malaysia’ (pp. 876-894), Review of International Studies, 42(5), 2016
For a full list of publications, please consult the King’s Research Portal.
Research
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.
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
Challenging negative narratives surrounding migration in Europe and beyond
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
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.
King's awarded University of Sanctuary status
National award recognises King's continued determination to aid those forcibly displaced
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...
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.
Events
BELONGINGS: Exhibition
Visit this new, free exhibition in The Arcade challenging anti-immigration narratives and creating pathways of belonging with people seeking sanctuary.
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.
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...
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.
BELONGINGS: Exhibition
Visit this new, free exhibition in The Arcade challenging anti-immigration narratives and creating pathways of belonging with people seeking sanctuary.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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 (RCIR)
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
Challenging negative narratives surrounding migration in Europe and beyond
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
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.
King's awarded University of Sanctuary status
National award recognises King's continued determination to aid those forcibly displaced
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...
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.
Events
BELONGINGS: Exhibition
Visit this new, free exhibition in The Arcade challenging anti-immigration narratives and creating pathways of belonging with people seeking sanctuary.
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.
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...
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.
BELONGINGS: Exhibition
Visit this new, free exhibition in The Arcade challenging anti-immigration narratives and creating pathways of belonging with people seeking sanctuary.
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.