The winner of the 2026 prize is Megan Green from the University of Leeds.  

The British Council, in partnership with the British International Studies Association (BISA), launched the New Voices in Cultural Relations prize in 2024 – now in it's third year, this competition aimed at recognising exceptional Master’s dissertations that contribute new scholarly insights or propose innovative policy directions in the field of international relations. The prize recognises and promotes the achievements of students on Master’s programmes in international relations in the UK. 

'We're a School of Sanctuary and what that means is, we could have a refugee family tomorrow, we will welcome them, we will treat them as equal.' An exploration of how Schools of Sanctuary support asylum-seeking and refugee pupils. 

Megan Green’s prize-winning dissertation explored how Schools of Sancary support asylum-seeking and refugee pupils in UK primary schools. The dissertation focuses on whether Schools of Sanctuary promote the holistic academic development and integration of asylum-seeking and refugee children, drawing on interviews with teachers from ten schools across England. It argues that schools support these pupils in four key ways: creating an empathetic and informed school community, prioritising pupil wellbeing, meeting language requirements, and celebrating pupils’ cultural identity.

Judging panel’s feedback

'This is an outstanding dissertation that draws upon extensive original primary research. Focused on Schools of Sanctuary, it offers timely and important insights with real potential to inform practice and shift attitudes towards refugee children’s education. The work is both empirically rich and, at points, genuinely moving, telling a rare story of hope. With further development of its theoretical framing for publication, this research has the potential to make a major contribution. Overall, it stands out as an exceptional and impactful piece of MA scholarship.'

Megan Green on receiving the prize

'I’m so grateful to the teachers who shared their experiences with me, and am very thankful to receive this award. I hope this recognition will help the interviewees’ insights to reach others who want to explore school provision for asylum-seeking and refugee children.'

Special commendations:

Anna Kama Ligęzowska (Loughborough University London) 'Fragile Peace, Persistent Systems: Child Recruitment through the Lens of the Transformative Justice Cube'.

Judges statement: 'This excellent dissertation demonstrates impressive depth and breadth of knowledge in analysing the complex and often conflicting factors behind failures to reduce child recruitment in Colombia following the Havana Accords. The work is particularly notable for its theoretical ambition, with the development of an innovative ‘Cube model’ that shows real potential to evolve into a distinctive and original contribution.'

Elina Kurylova (Anglia Ruskin University) ‘Supporting Integration and Building Belonging of Ukrainian Refugees in the UK: The Case of Homes for Ukraine Scheme'.

Judges statement: 'A fascinating dissertation that offers a timely analysis of Ukrainian refugee integration in the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. It combines a strong grasp of relevant policy with careful, insightful critique, identifying both achievements and clear areas for improvement in supporting refugees. The judges were impressed by the depth of the underpinning research and the clarity of its argument. It makes a valuable contribution to understanding how policy can better respond to the lived realities of displaced populations.'