EECERA Conference 2025 – Guest Blog # 43: Refugee Children and Occupations

One of a series of short blog posts by presenters who will be sharing their work at the upcoming annual conference in Bratislava, Slovakia. Any views expressed in this post are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official stance of their affiliated institution or EECERA.

Refugee Children and Occupations: Reflections from Teachers, Children, and Parents

Dr. Ahmet Simsar, Sharjah Education Academy, UAE
Dr. Mehmet Mart, Necmettin Erbakan University, Turkey
Dr. Ayse Duran Yilmaz, Adiyaman University, Turkey

Photo by Anima Visual on Unsplash

Children’s occupational preferences are shaped by their living conditions, cultural backgrounds, interests, and future expectations. For refugee children, these influences become even more complex due to displacement and adaptation to new environments. Understanding how refugee children envision their futures requires examining not only the children themselves but also the perspectives of key stakeholders teachers and parents who play critical roles in supporting their development.

In our recent study conducted in Türkiye, we employed a grounded theory approach to explore the refugee children’ professional development perceptions by the working with 45 participants: 15 teachers, 15 children, and 15 parents. Data were gathered through interviews with teachers and parents, as well as interviews and drawings with children. This comprehensive approach enabled a nuanced understanding of how occupational development unfolds among refugee children within their social ecosystems.

The study revealed three core components structuring this process:

1. Occupations: The specific professions and roles perceived by children and adults as viable or desirable.

2. Support: The resources, encouragement, and guidance offered by teachers, parents, and the community to foster occupational aspirations.

3. Possible Relationships: The interactions and dynamics between children, parents, and teachers that influence career perceptions and decision-making.

Figure 1: Themes, Codes, and Relations

From these components, we developed a new theoretical framework illustrating how refugee children’s occupational development is co-constructed within their relational environments. This framework highlights the importance of collaborative support systems and cultural sensitivity in shaping children’s futures.

Figure 2: Demonstrating the theoretical representations of the study

Why This Research Matters

Refugee children often face multifaceted challenges that can limit their vision of possible career paths. By incorporating the voices of teachers, parents, and children themselves, this research provides actionable insights into how early childhood education and family engagement can be harnessed to expand occupational horizons and promote resilience.

What Will the Audience Gain from This Presentation?

Attendees will gain:

• A grounded theoretical understanding of how refugee children’s occupational development is influenced by key stakeholders.
• Insights into the roles of teachers and parents in supporting children’s career awareness amid displacement challenges.
• Practical strategies for educators, policymakers, and practitioners to collaboratively nurture occupational aspirations in refugee contexts.
• Examples of using mixed qualitative methods, including interviews and children’s drawings, to capture diverse perspectives.

This session is especially valuable for professionals involved in early childhood education, refugee support services, social work, and policy development.

At my EECERA presentation, I will share the details of the new framework, discuss implications for practice, and invite dialogue on creating inclusive educational environments that empower refugee children to imagine and pursue fulfilling careers.

Connect with us by;

Ahmet Simsar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmet-simsar-260989230/

Mehmet Mart: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mehmetm/

Ayse Duran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ay%C5%9Fe-duran-yilmaz-a2703a336/

✉️ Email:

Ahmet Simsar: asimsar@sea.ac.ae

Mehmet Mart: dr.mehmetmart@gmail.com

Ayse Duran: ayse.duran@adiyaman.edu.tr

Dr. Ahmet Simsar, Dr. Mehmet Mart and Dr. Ayse Duran Yilmaz will present work referred to in this blog in Symposium Set B17 | Tuesday 26th August 2025 (Schedule liable to change; please refer to final programme for details).