University of Birmingham joins prestigious UN network with new Sérgio Vieira de Mello Chair

Through a new collaboration with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, the University of Birmingham has established a Sérgio Vieira de Mello Chair.

Birmingham joins a distinguished group of universities, mainly located in the Global South, committed to teaching and research on forced displacement, human rights, and statelessness.  

The Chair will be held by migration expert Dr Angelo Martins Junior, Associate Professor in Sociology and Criminology and Co-Director of the University of Birmingham Brazil Institute (UBBI).

Dr Martins Junior is internationally recognised for his influential work with refugees, asylum seekers and forcibly displaced communities. The appointment recognises his extensive work across Brazil, Europe and West Africa, where he has collaborated directly with refugees and asylum seekers to address some of the world's most pressing displacement challenges.

Dr Martins Junior’s current projects demonstrate the breadth of this work. In Brazil, he is collaborating with academics and the Regional Labour Court to develop practical guidance for refugees entering the labour market, while in the Amazon region he is examining how extreme drought is affecting riverine communities and contributing to displacement.

His research has generated academic publications, documentaries, legal guidance, policy briefings and theatre productions designed to influence policymakers, practitioners and public audiences.

Dr Martins Junior said: “I am proud and honoured to accept this Chair at a time when millions of people worldwide are currently forcibly displaced due to conflict, persecution, violence and human rights abuses.  Sérgio Vieira de Mello's work protecting refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced people in turbulent times is a model for what universities can contribute to this agenda.

"This prestigious opportunity connects the University of Birmingham’s research directly to one of the defining humanitarian issues of the 21st century. Our work has direct relevance to countries and regions grappling with displacement, migration and refugee integration.”

The appointment connects Birmingham to the Sérgio Vieira de Mello network, which spans 46 universities across Brazil, Mexico, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ethiopia and the United States.

Forced displacement

Birmingham is only the second university in the UK to hold this prestigious title, placing the institution within a global network of universities committed to advancing teaching, research and public engagement on forced displacement.

The Chair will be co-hosted by the University of Birmingham Brazil Institute (UBBI), the School of Social Policy & Society, and the Institute for Research into International Migration and Superdiversity (IRiS), with Professor Nando Sigona serving as Deputy Chair.

Professor Robin Mason, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) at the University of Birmingham, said: "Congratulations to Dr Martins Junior on his appointment to this prestigious Chair. His work with one of the world's leading humanitarian academic networks highlights the University of Birmingham's expertise in migration and refugee studies, whilst strengthening UK–Brazil research links and addressing critical issues in climate displacement and humanitarian protection."

Named after the late Brazilian diplomat Sérgio Vieira de Mello, one of the most respected humanitarian figures in UN history, the Chair reflects Birmingham's growing international profile in migration, refugee protection and social justice research.

Sérgio Vieira de Mello was a Brazilian UN diplomat who spent much of his career with UNHCR protecting refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons and stateless people. He was serving as the UN Secretary-General's Special Representative to Iraq when he and 21 colleagues were killed in the 2003 bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad. The first Sérgio Vieira de Mello Chair was established in Brazil following his death.