support wellbeing, identity and participation and contextual factors.

Restrictive asylum systems profoundly affect people’s everyday occupations, identities, routines, and opportunities for occupational participation. Asylum seekers often endure restricted access to work, education, social participation, and meaningful activities, limiting their ability to engage in occupations that support wellbeing, belonging, and identity formation. This aligns with established theoretical constructs within occupational science which argue that humans require opportunities for occupational engagement in order to thrive. Occupation plays a critical role in identity construction, particularly for those who experience trauma, loss, and displacement. However, the occupational identities and occupational participation of people seeking asylum, present with limited understanding in practice and policy discussions, impacting upon services to provide culturally relevant, trauma‑informed, occupation‑focused support. Research that explores the occupational needs of people seeking asylum can inform service design, contribute to more inclusive practice, and support commitment to occupational justice. This research intends to address a significant theoretical and evidence gap, challenge structural and occupational injustices, and strengthen the support offered to address health, participation, and wellbeing through occupation.

It is anticipated that a review of the contemporary evidence base will be conducted to inform the selection of an appropriate qualitative methodology which will enable in depth, contextually situated understanding.

support wellbeing, identity and participation and contextual factors.

Restrictive asylum systems profoundly affect people’s everyday occupations, identities, routines, and opportunities for occupational participation. Asylum seekers often endure restricted access to work, education, social participation, and meaningful activities, limiting their ability to engage in occupations that support wellbeing, belonging, and identity formation. This aligns with established theoretical constructs within occupational science which argue that humans require opportunities for occupational engagement in order to thrive. Occupation plays a critical role in identity construction, particularly for those who experience trauma, loss, and displacement. However, the occupational identities and occupational participation of people seeking asylum, present with limited understanding in practice and policy discussions, impacting upon services to provide culturally relevant, trauma‑informed, occupation‑focused support. Research that explores the occupational needs of people seeking asylum can inform service design, contribute to more inclusive practice, and support commitment to occupational justice. This research intends to address a significant theoretical and evidence gap, challenge structural and occupational injustices, and strengthen the support offered to address health, participation, and wellbeing through occupation.

It is anticipated that a review of the contemporary evidence base will be conducted to inform the selection of an appropriate qualitative methodology which will enable in depth, contextually situated understanding.