The Australian Research on Refugee Integration Database (ARRID)

Abstract

This article describes development of the Australian Research on Refugee Integration Database (ARRID) and discusses what we can learn from analysing its content about some of the processes framing, promoting and constraining knowledge production in this field. ARRID is an open source database developed to map and share knowledge about refugee integration in the Australian context. Over 2000 documents were mapped against the domains of refugee integration outlined in the UK Home Office Indicators of Integration Framework (2019). Based on this mapping, research categories drawn from these domains were refined and expanded to create a conceptual framework for refugee intergration research. Analysis of ARRID shows knowledge clustering, amplifications and silences in Australian research on refugee integration. We offer insights for researchers, practitioners and policymakers in and beyond Australia about the usefulness of policy frameworks for understanding refugee integration and the need for tools to make connections between research and practice (including decision-making). Our analysis also reminds us of the importance of ‘policy-irrelevant’ research and nurturing rich knowledge ecosystems suited to our understanding of refugee integration as a complex dialogic process. Show more