Refugees in Europe: How are community psychologists responding?

Webinar with Serdar M. Değirmencioğlu, October 27, 2020.

About the webinar

Mainstream psychology suffers from a number of biases (e.g., Eurocentrism, colonial approaches, individualistic assumptions, militarism) which make it difficult to relate to and work with the increasing number of refugees arriving in Europe. Moreover, the dominant service model in mainstream psychology focuses on preexisting expertise and competences. If the experts are lacking, then it is acceptable to say “Unable to offer services”.

Psychology students, for instance, are considered incapable of proper engagement and are, therefore, not asked to contribute. These biases need to be considered to grasp why mainstream approaches are not compatible with meeting the needs of the refugees. Community psychology appears to be uniquely well-situated to respond to refugees. An informal survey of community psychologists in 2019 indicated a willingness to work with refugees but a discussion of the existing barriers is needed.

About the presenter

Serdar M. Değirmencioğlu is a visiting Scholar at FernUniversität in Hagen, LG Community Psychology.