OUBS PhD graduate marks Refugee Week

Photo of Marco Distinto

Marco Distinto, an Open University Business School PhD graduate, marked the beginning of Refugee Week 2021 by discussing his PhD research, which looks at the human stories behind the 2015 refugee crisis in Italy. 

As a migrant from the South of Italy, Marco wanted to challenge current ideological discourses around migration by sharing the real stories of migrants and the people who support them. 

His thesis ‘Refugee reception centres and the integration of the migrant: an exploratory study of discourses and practices of not-for-profit organizations working to support refugees in Italy’, was supervised by Dr Cinzia Priola, Dr Alexandra Bristow and former OU academic Professor Peter Bloom. Marco passed his PhD viva with no corrections on 21 October 2020.

You can listen to Marco talking about his research in more detail below.

Upcoming Events

May 21

CVSL Conference 2026: Voluntary Sector Leadership - what next?

Thursday, May 21, 2026 - 10:00 to 16:00

The Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA

Join us at this year’s annual conference as we celebrate the 10th anniversary of CVSL. Together we’ll reflect on a decade of impact and look ahead to the next ten years, featuring insights and reflections from former CVSL directors.

Jun 2

Technology, Inclusion and Esports: Opening Up New Spaces of Participation

Tuesday, June 2, 2026 - 10:30 to 12:30

Online and and in person at The Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6BB

This event explores the relationship between technology, inclusion, and esports, examining how digital gaming environments can create new opportunities for participation, connection, and belonging in society and organisations.

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