The Australian Research on Refugee Integration Database (ARRID) is an open source database developed with the goal to facilitate access by academics, students, refugee-background communities, policymakers and practitioners to research on refugee integration in Australia.
ARRID features over 2,000 research items (articles, books, doctoral theses, reports) published since 1998 that relate to refugee integration in Australia. It includes both academic and ‘grey’ literature (e.g. research reports by government and non-government organisations).
ARRID was developed by the Melbourne Social Equity Institute in partnership with the Refugee Education Special Interest Group (RESIG). The people involved in the development of ARRID include: Sally Baker, Karen Block, Alexandra Dellios, Charlene Edwards, Paula Cruz Manrique, Reyvi Marinas, Louise Olliff, John Tran and Sara Wills.
Using ARRID
Each item in the ARRID database is listed with full bibliographic details and abstracts where available.
Research has been tagged with thematic categories and can be filtered by category, year of publication, author, and category co-occurrence. For example, users interested in research on refugees and education can filter the database results by choosing the ‘Education’ category.
ARRID also features sub-categories that will narrow down search results further (e.g. ‘Interpreting and translation’ is a sub-category of ‘Language and communication’).
You can generate search lists using multiple categories – for example, you can choose ‘young people’ and ‘sexual and reproductive health’ to find research that is relevant to both categories.
Go to ARRID Dashboard now or have a look at the video tutorial below on how to use the ARRID Dashboard.
Updating ARRID
ARRID was first launched in 2021 and invites contributions by users to ensure it is up-to-date, accurate and as useful as possible.
If you know of research that is missing from the database, please let us know by filling in this simple form and we will periodically update the database with input from users.
If you notice something missing or inaccurate in how any of the research listed in ARRID, this can also be noted through this form.
Database Categories
The categories used in the ARRID database were defined drawing extensively on the domains of integration originally developed by Alastair Ager and Alison Strang in 2008 (Understanding Integration: A Conceptual Framework) and revised into the UK Home Office Indicators of Integration framework (2019).
Additional categories, sub-categories and refinements have been made for the purposes of developing ARRID into an open source database of Australian research that is searchable, links together themes of interest to researchers and policymakers, and assists users to identify existing literature and gaps in knowledge.
We have called these ‘categories’ or ‘sub-categories’ of research, rather than ‘domains’, which refer to the concept of integration itself.
It should be noted in using this database that:
- Items have been tagged with categories based on abstracts only and by what was considered the main focus/ses of the research. Additional categories may also be relevant.
- Users of this database should refer to the description of categories and sub-categories to understand how these categories have been defined.
- There is unavoidable overlap in concepts and some ambiguity about how to categorise some research. Overlaps have been noted in the definition of categories and sub-categories. Items are mostly tagged with all relevant (overlapping) categories.
- Abstracts included in this database can be searched to identify keywords or themes not captured under ARRID categories.
If you notice research missing or needing updating, you can help keep ARRID up-to-date by submitting a suggestion to add or change research listed in this database.
Description of ARRID categories and sub-categories
ARRID has, for the most part, used the ‘integration domain’ descriptors as defined in the UK Home Office Indicators of Integration framework (2019). Small revisions to these descriptors have been made and additional ARRID categories have been described that reflect that different purposes of the UK Indicators of Integration Framework (to conceptualise and provide a tool for measuring integration in the UK) and the ARRID database (to map and categorise research on refugee integration in the Australian context).
Sub-categories were developed to further break down bigger categories into themes with particular stakeholders in mind (for example, policy-makers or practitioners interested in only one aspects of the broader category, such as early childhood education within the broader ‘education’ category, or ‘sexual and reproductive health’ and ‘aged care’ within the broader ‘health and social care’ category).
Categories and sub-categories with substantial overlaps have been noted.
Main categories include all items that are nested in sub-categories (e.g. an item tagged with ‘voluntary work/volunteering’ will also be found in the broader category of ‘work’).
The Integration Framework identifies five domains under the heading Markers and Means: Work, Housing, Education, Health and Social Care, and Leisure. ‘These domains represent the context in which integration can take place as well as major areas of attainment that are widely recognised as critical to the integration process.’ These five domains have been mapped as ARRID categories, each broken down into sub-categories.
‘Employment provides a mechanism for income generation and economic independence and possibly advancement; as such, it is a key factor supporting integration. Work can also be valuable in (re)establishing valued social roles, developing language and broader cultural competence and establishing social connections. Voluntary work provides valuable work experience and the opportunity to practice language and communication skills and build social connections for those with or without the right to paid employment. For those with the right to employment it can provide a pathway to paid work.’ (p.28)
1.1 Employment
1.2 Voluntary work/volunteering
1.3 Refugee businesses & entrepreneurship
‘Housing structures much of an individual’s experience of integration. Housing conditions impact on a community’s sense of security and stability, opportunities for social connection, and access to healthcare, education and employment.’ (p.32)
2.1 Homelessness
2.2 Public and social housing
2.3 Private housing (includes home ownership, renting)
‘Access to, and progress within, the education system serves as a significant integration marker, and as a major means towards this goal. Education creates significant opportunities for employment, for wider social connection, and mixing for language.’ (p.30)
3.1 Early childhood learning – overlaps with ‘Health and Social Care’
3.2 Primary and secondary education
3.3 Higher education
3.4 Vocational education and training
3.5 Community education
‘The key issues here are equity of access to health and social services and responsiveness of such services to the specific needs of the individual. Good health enables greater social participation and engagement in employment and education activities.’ (p.34)
4.1 Primary health – overlaps with ‘Food and nutrition’
4.2 Mental health and wellbeing (includes trauma recovery, mental illness)
4.3 Sexual and reproductive health
4.4 Alcohol and other drugs
4.5 Aged care
4.6 Health literacy and information – overlaps with ‘Information literacy’
4.7 Covid-19
‘Leisure activities can help individuals learn more about the culture of a country or local area, and can provide opportunities to establish social connections, practice language skills and improve overall individual health and wellbeing.’ (p.38)
5.1 Creative arts – Overlaps with ‘Film and literature’ and ‘Music’
5.2 Sport and physical activity
5.3 Recreation and leisure – Overlaps with ‘Film and literature’ and ‘Music’
The Integration Framework identifies three domains under the heading Social Connections: Social Bridges, Social Bonds and Social Links. ‘Taken together they recognise the importance of relationships to our understanding of the integration process and elaborate different kinds of relationships that contribute to integration.’ These three domains have been mapped as ARRID categories, each broken down into sub-categories.
‘Supportive relationships with people who share many of your values and expectations about life (norms) are crucial for mental health and wellbeing and therefore underpin integration. Such relationships are generally – but not always – formed with family members and people from the same cultural background. Familiar people, language, cultural practices and shared religious faith can all contribute to a sense of belonging.’ (p.39)
6.1 Families (includes composition, relationships, parenting, separation and reunion)
6.2 Refugee communities (includes ethnic organisations, faith communities, leadership, community development)
6.3 Transnationalism and diasporas – overlaps with ‘Mobility’, ‘Refugee communities’ and ‘Families’
6.4 Peer groups
‘Establishing social connections with those perceived to be of other backgrounds such as language, ethnicity, religion and sexuality is essential to establish the ‘two-way’ interaction at the heart of many definitions of integration. Creating bridges to other communities supports social cohesion and opens up opportunities for broadening cultural understanding, and widening educational and economic opportunities.’ (p.40)
7.1 Community cohesion, inclusion and belonging – overlaps with ‘Acculturation’ and ‘Public perceptions’
7.2 Mentoring, befriending and volunteering
‘Social links refer to engagement with the institutions of society, such as local governmental and non-governmental services, civic duties and political processes, and demonstrates a further set of social connections supporting integration. Social links exist where a person is able to both receive the benefits provided by the institutions of society as well as contribute to decision-making and delivery. Linkage into such activities provides a further dimension of social connection.’ (p.42)
8.1 Settlement services (access to, experiences of, refugee-specific programs and services) – overlaps with ‘Settlement policy’
8.2 Links with ‘mainstream’ institutions (access to, brokering, experiences of)
8.3 Agency, participation and empowerment
8.4 Political participation
The Integration Framework identifies five domains under the heading Facilitators: Language, Culture, Digital Skills, Safety and Stability. ARRID has added Transport as an additional Facilitator because of its importance to integration in the Australian context. ‘These represent key facilitating factors for the process of integration.’
‘The ability to communicate is essential for all social connections including, crucially, with other communities and with state and voluntary agencies such as local government and non-government services, political processes and being able to perform civic duties.’ (p.44)
9.1 English language and literacy
9.2 Languages other than English (language maintenance)
9.3 Interpreting and translation
9.4 Information literacy – overlaps with ‘Rights and responsibilities’, ‘Health literacy and information’ and ‘Digital literacy’
‘An understanding of others’ cultural values, practices and beliefs promotes integration between people of different backgrounds. Such knowledge includes very practical information for daily living (e.g. regarding transport, utilities, benefits) as well as customs and social expectations. Mutual knowledge of one another’s values, cultures and practices promotes the developing of social connections between people of diverse backgrounds.’ (p.46)
10.1 Acculturation – overlaps with ‘Community cohesion, inclusion and belonging’ and ‘Identity’
10.2 Identity – overlaps with ‘Acculturation’
10.3 Food and nutrition – overlaps with ‘Physical health’
10.4 Belief systems (religious, cultural, ‘traditional’ beliefs) – overlaps with ‘Religion’
10.5 Music – overlaps with ‘Creative arts’ and ‘Recreation and leisure’
10.6 Literature and film – overlaps with ‘Creative arts’ and ‘Recreation and leisure’
‘Familiarity and confidence in using information communication technology can help facilitate social connections and is increasingly crucial in accessing rights and services.’ (p.48)
11.1 Access to and use of technology
11.2 Digital literacy – overlaps with ‘Information literacy’
‘A sense of safety provides an essential foundation to forming relationships with people and society, enabling progress through education and/or employment and participating in leisure pursuits. Community safety is a common concern amongst minority groups and within the broader communities in which they live. Racial harassment and hate crime erodes confidence, constrains engagement in social connection and distorts cultural knowledge.’ (p.50)
12.1 Child safety and protection/welfare
12.2 Racism and discrimination
12.3 Sexual and gender based violence (includes domestic violence)
12.4 Policing and crime
12.5 Conflict (among peers, communities; conflict management) – overlaps with ‘Community cohesion, inclusion and belonging’
‘Individuals benefit from a sense of stability in their lives, such as a stable routine in their work, education, living circumstances and access to services. Stability is necessary for sustainable engagement with employment or education and other services.’ (p.52)
13.1 Mobility – overlaps with ‘Diaspora and transnationalism’ and ‘Location/place’
13.2 Uncertainty, precarity and temporariness
13.3 Financial security and stability (includes gambling, social welfare payments)
13.4 Home-making – overlaps with ‘Location/Place’, ‘Safety’, ‘Housing’ and ‘Culture’
In the Australian context, access to transport is an important facilitator of integration in that it allows access to employment, education, dispersed communities and services and, depending on location, can mean travelling considerable distances. Transport includes both public and private modes.
There are no sub-categories of “Transport” in this database
The Integration Framework identifies only one domain under the heading Foundation: Rights and Responsibilities. ARRID has added Discourse as an additional Foundation due to the utility of this concept for understanding ideologies that frame, enable or constrain refugee integration. Rights and Responsibilities and Discourse are ‘the basis upon which mutual expectations and obligations which support the process of integration are established.’
‘This domain addresses the extent to which members of minority groups are provided with the basis for full and equal engagement within [Australian] society (which may lead to a formal application for citizenship). It assesses the existence and awareness of rights and responsibilities as well as the enablement of these rights and fulfilment of responsibilities.’ (p.54)
15.1 Citizenship
15.2 Legal rights and responsibilities (non-immigration-related domestic laws)
15.3 Visa and immigration law-related issues
15.4 Immigration detention – overlaps with ‘Asylum policy’
15.5 Asylum policy – overlaps with ‘Asylum seekers’ and ‘Immigration detention’
15.6 Settlement policy – overlaps with ‘Settlement services’
15.7 Refugee and Humanitarian Program policy
15.8 Human rights
Discourse and ideology are foundational to how refugee integration takes place. Integration experiences are shaped by public perceptions, media and political discourse, which impacts on access to employment, social cohesion, education and access to rights and responsibilities.
16.1 Media discourse
16.2 Political system and discourse
16.3 Public perceptions – overlaps with ‘Community cohesion, inclusion and belonging’
16.4 Advocacy and campaigning
The following can be seen as mediating factors that have implications for all of the domains under Markers and Means, Social Connections, Facilitators and Foundation. These mediating factors point to the fact that integration is context-specific and can only be usefully understood and planned for with due consideration to person, place, and time.
17.1 Age determination – overlaps with ‘Rights and responsibilities’
17.2 Children
17.3 Young people
17.4 Older people
18.1 Women
18.2 Men
18.3 Non-binary – overlaps with ‘LGBTQI+’
19.1 Regional/rural settlement locations
19.2 Cities/urban areas
There are no sub-categories of “SOGI” in this database
There are no sub-categories of “Disability” in this database
Ethnicity has been broadly grouped by UNHCR region (e.g. Asia and Pacific includes Iran. Africa includes Sudan and South Sudan). Research on particular communities will be nested within these regional categories.
22.1 Africa
22.2 Asia and the Pacific
22.3 Middle East and North Africa
22.4 Europe
22.5 Americas
23.1 Muslim
23.2 Christian
23.3 Mandaean
23.4 Other religions
24.1 Asylum seekers (bridging visa, community detention, offshore detention) – overlap with ‘Immigration detention’, ‘Asylum policy’ and ‘Visa and immigration-related legal issues’
24.2 Women at Risk
24.3 Onshore protection visas (temporary)
24.4 Onshore protection visa (permanent)
24.5 Stateless
Research categorised under temporality include studies that explore or focus on the temporal aspects of refugee integration – how refugees and communities understand and experience the past, present and future, and experiences and perspectives on time.
There are no sub-categories of “Temporality” in this database
The following categorise literature that relates to research methods and ethics, conceptual and theoretical issues (including measurement of settlement outcomes), historical studies and other literature that does not sit well in other ARRID categories.
There are no sub-categories of “Research methods and ethics” in this database
27.1 Settlement outcomes and measurement
27.2 Theorising ‘integration’ and ‘settlement’
There are no sub-categories of “Historical studies” in this database
There are no sub-categories of “Other” in this database