Claire Higgins

Claire Higgins is a Senior Research Fellow at the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, Faculty of Law and Justice, UNSW Sydney. Her research centers on protected entry pathways for refugees, including humanitarian corridors and resettlement programs.

Her research interests include:

• International refugee law and policy
• History of asylum and migration
• Humanitarian corridors and protected transfer arrangements
• Comparative refugee admissions systems (Australia, U.S., Italy)
• In-country protection mechanisms for refugees

The available publication highlights a historical analysis of Australia's refugee policy, particularly maritime arrivals. Her work spans legal, historical, and policy disciplines, emphasizing safe and legal pathways for refugees. Themes across her research include responsibility-sharing, humanitarian protection, and the evolution of asylum systems.

Scientific awards and recognitions include:

• Fulbright Postdoctoral Scholar (2018)
• UNSW USA Networks of Excellence Mobility Grant ($5,000) for research on Costa Rica’s Protected Transfer Arrangement

Claire Higgins leads and mentors through the Emerging Scholars Network at the Kaldor Centre. She has secured competitive research funding and conducts comparative, policy-relevant scholarship. While no formal advisees are listed, her convening role suggests active engagement with early-career researchers.

She is affiliated with the Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law, a leading research hub on refugee rights and policy innovation. Her projects involve international collaboration, including with ISIM and institutions in the U.S. and Europe.