Maria Rast obtained the title Master of Law (summa cum laude) from the University of Bern, Switzerland, in 2014 and Master of Science (cum laude) in Sociology from VU Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in 2017. From 2015-2017, she worked as a student fellow and student assistant at the Department of Sociology and as coordinator of the Migration and Diversity Centre at VU Amsterdam. During this time, she conducted research on community initiatives for and with refugees in Amsterdam. Since January 2018, she has been working as a PhD candidate at the Department of Sociology at VU Amsterdam. Her research is affiliated with the Refugee Academy and focuses on challenges and opportunities for promoting refugees’ social inclusion through engaged scholarship. In addition to her research activities, she also has teaching obligations within the Sociology bachelor and master.
‘My personal and professional ambition within the Refugee Academy is to promote refugees’ inclusion in Dutch society and to increase the impact scholars have on such endeavours.’
What is your scientific background and expertise?
I obtained the titles Master of Law (summa cum laude) from the University of Bern, Switzerland, in 2014 and Master of Science (cum laude) in Sociology from VU Amsterdam, the Netherlands, in 2017. From 2015-2017, I worked as student fellow and student assistant at the Department of Sociology and as coordinator of the Migration and Diversity Centre at VU Amsterdam. During this time, I conducted research on community initiatives for and with refugees in Amsterdam. Since January 2018, I work as a PhD candidate and lecturer at the Department of Sociology of VU Amsterdam. My research is affiliated with the Refugee Academy and focuses on challenges and opportunities for promoting refugees’ social inclusion through engaged scholarship.
What role do you have within the Refugee Academy, and what keeps you busy in this role?
My research is affiliated with the Refugee Academy and focuses on challenges and opportunities for promoting refugees’ social inclusion through engaged scholarship. Engaged scholarship is a stream of research that aims to produce knowledge through close community engagement with the aim of enacting social transformation, in my case, the promotion of refugees’ social inclusion. During the four years of my PhD, I conduct literature reviews to embed my study in existing knowledge and theory, I collect qualitative data by interviewing refugees and engaged scholars, I analyze the data and write academic articles based on my empirical insights. In addition to my research activities, I also have teaching obligations within the Sociology bachelor and master.
What do you feel is the most important about/central to the Refugee Academy, and why?
The Refugee Academy is a very fascinating network of academic and societal stakeholders. During our meetings, we share our knowledge, inspire each other and also acknowledge and discuss the challenges we face in a secure environment. Such a platform is crucial to reflect on and improve societal and academic endeavors aimed at promoting refugees’ inclusion.
What is your personal ambition within the Refugee Academy, and how would you connect this to your work and/or life outside the Refugee Academy?
I believe all members of society should have the opportunity to pursue their personal and professional ambitions, no matter where they come from. As a Swiss academic working in the Netherlands, this is very important to me. Unfortunately, not everyone has the same chances. I am convinced that academic research can play an important role in the promotion of refugees’ inclusion, at least if it is conducted in a reflexive manner. My personal and professional ambition within the Refugee Academy is to promote refugees’ inclusion in Dutch society and to increase the impact scholars have on such endeavors.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I don’t really have one fixed hobby, but I try to spend as much time as possible with my family and friends and I’m spontaneous, so in my free time, I might be found doing one of the following activities: travelling, running, pub quizzing, ice skating, watching films and series, paragliding, playing the cello, mountain biking, camping, singing, puzzling, horse riding, cooking, bowling, eating (chocolate), dancing, hiking, bird watching or roller skating.
Refugee Academy- related projects :
– Engaged Scholarship and Narratives of Change
