Global Response Platform

UK universities acting together in response to crises

Sector-wide Crisis Response

117 million displaced people, only 9% reach university​

UK universities could play a pivotal role in supporting displaced students in crisis. But they have limited bandwidth to develop new solutions, find partners, and coordinate activities.

Led by Mosaik, the Global Response Platform enables UK universities to act together overseas in response to crises.

What is the Global Response Platform?

A way for UK universities to act together in response to crises affecting students and higher education overseas. It has four core functions:

Connecting Universities to Networks and Needs

We connect UK universities to overseas humanitarian networks, organisations, and students to enable and shape activities.

Creating share resources and Joint Programmes

We curate best practice, context briefings, and facilitating opportunities for shared programming between UK universities.

Coordinate for action

We convene actors commitments, follow up on delivery, curate best practice, and provide technical support.

What the GRP does

Connecting UK universities to networks and needs

we connect UK universities to new humanitarian networks, organisations, and students to enable delivery.

Creating shared resources

we curate best practice, context briefings, and facilitating opportunities for shared programming between UK universities.

Coordinating activities

we bring actors together, align commitments, and showcase impact.

Founding Universities

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“Partnering with Mosaik and the Global Response Platform, will allow us to extend reach to displaced learners worldwide, and strengthen the collective impact that Leeds – and the wider UK higher education sector – can make.”

Prof. Shearer West, Vice-Chancellor & President, University of Leeds

“UAL’s involvement in the Global Response Platform is about translating our values into practice: working collectively with Mosaik Education…. to build educational pathways that are both more resilient and more just.”

Prof. Rathna Ramanathan, Provost, CSM | Exec Dean for Global Affairs, University of the Arts London

“Supporting learners whose education has been disrupted by crisis is both a responsibility and an opportunity for the UK higher education sector. The Global Response Platform allows us to move beyond individual, ad‑hoc efforts and instead help shape a coordinated, sector‑wide approach that reflects our shared values.”

Prof. Michael Scott, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International), University of Warwick

“It’s about taking the resource we have and making a difference where it matters”

Prof. Sally Wheeler, Vice-Chancellor, Birkbeck, University of London

Get involved

Supporting HE in Sudan

Explore how UK universities can support Sudanese higher education to maintain access during war.

Sign up to attend the next briefing session in March.

Event: Myanmar Briefing Session, 28 April 2026

Sign up for a briefing session on how UK universities can support students from Myanmar.

Join Afghanistan Action Group

We have an Action Group of UK universities, civil society and Afghan partners planning opportunities for women in Afghanistan and refugees in the region.

Sign up to attend the next Afghanistan Action Group  session.

Event: Refugee Inclusion in TNE In Egypt, 24-25 June 2026

Join a dialogue exploring pathways to higher education for refugees in Egypt through Transnational Education (TNE).

Event: Next India Action Group, 21 April 2026

Join the India Action Group with other UK universities planning higher education opportunities for refugees in India, hosted in collaboration with UNHCR India.

Resources

Discover best practice, context briefings, and learning on delivering higher education to  people affected by conflict and crisis.

Activities

Explore where and how UK universities are responding overseas to displacement and crises. 

Collective action, greater impact

By working collectively, universities can act faster, share resources, and enhance the impact of their international responses

Respond Alongside Peers

Universities can join coordinated action alongside others to enhance their impact, whilst contributing to the overall response of UK HE across crisis contexts.

Lighten staff workload

Global Response Platform functions will university staff figuring out how to respond and who to work with. Universities can focus on what they do best: teaching and learning.

sustainable initiatives

Pooled resources, collective fundraising, and stronger local partnerships improve longevity of initiatives.

Register your interest

We’re growing the Global Response Platform to include more UK universities. Register your interest in becoming a partner.