Lisa Gilman, Professor of Folklore and English and Director of the Institute for Immigration Research at George Mason University recently published her book, Arts Initiatives for Refugees by Refugees: Forced Displacement, Creativity, and Agency in September 2026.
The book highlights agency, creativity, enjoyment, and artistic expression within three contrasting refugee population: residents of the Dzaleka refugee camp in Malawi (people from Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo), Syrians refugees in Türkiye, and Uyghurs in France. Each chapter is about one individual or one organization run by people who are refugees who use the arts to do something positive for themselves, their communities, or their host countries.
Soon after the book came out, Prof. Gilman traveled to Paris, France and Istanbul, Türkiye to reconnect with research collaborators, thank them in person, and share the finalized study with them. Between her visits to France and Türkiye, she presented at a conference in Poland.
In Paris, Prof. Gilman met with some of the research collaborators featured in the book and gifted them copies of the book. She also gave book talks at the European Uyghur Institute and the Dissident Club.
In Istanbul, Prof. Gilman gathered with collaborators, friends, and colleagues at Beykoz Kundura, a multi-medium art center with historical cultural connections within the city, where she gave a brief book talk. She also met colleagues and gave a book talk at the Migration Research Association.
Sham Alsoloum, a young Syrian woman who aspires to be a writer, expressed her appreciation about Prof. Gilman’s visit and the opportunity to participate in the project:
“When I first received the book I found a small card from you, thanking me for being part of this project But I am the one who should be thanking you. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to leave a mark on this world to have my story heard and to let people know that I exist.”
The Institute for Immigration Research is hosting a book talk here at George Mason, on October 22nd, from 6-7:30pm, in Fenwick Library, room 2001. The link for registration can be found here.