Call to Action: Recognising Lived Experience as Expertise
On June 6th, 2025, Asylos co-hosted a workshop with the Human Trafficking Research Network (HTRN) and the generous support from Clifford Chance, designed to explore how lived experience can be more effectively recognised as vital expertise in research and policy.
Recognising Lived Experience as Expertise:
A Workshop on Inclusion in Research on Movement and Exploitation
The event explored how lived experience can be more effectively recognised and integrated as expertise in research and policy, particularly within the contexts of asylum, statelessness, human trafficking and Country of Origin Information (COI). The day included an expert panel and interactive breakout sessions; where we started crafting a Call to Action promoting inclusion, credibility, and recognition for individuals with lived experience.
We are now publishing the Call to Action
Directed at those working in research and practice on issues relating to movement and exploitation. The action points are interrelated, and if pursued together, will result in a fairer, more transparent approach to the inclusion of lived experience expertise in research on movement and exploitation. We call on researchers, decision makers, policymakers, and practitioners to sign the call and pledge to work towards implementing the actions it contains. Download the Call to Action:
Sign the pledge here
About the Human Trafficking Research Network (HTRN)
The Human Trafficking Research Network (HTRN) is a multidisciplinary and global community of academics and practitioners who are engaged in human trafficking-related research. The HTRN exists to connect its members with one another to share knowledge, advice and opportunities linked to human trafficking research, and with external stakeholders to share knowledge and develop impact.
About Asylos
Asylos is an international network of over 60 volunteers in 25 countries who provide high-quality Country of Origin Information (COI) research for people claiming asylum and statelessness claims and their representatives around the world. Our expertise is in Country of Origin Information research.