#1251 Bradley Hillier-Smith: The Ethics of State Responses to Refugees
RECORDED ON APRIL 8th 2026.
Dr. Bradley Hillier-Smith is an Associate Lecturer at the University of St Andrews. His main research interests are in global justice, human rights, migration ethics, obligations towards refugees, as well as ethical issues behind pressing social and political problems. His research aims to make a positive difference to people’s lives, wellbeing and rights through improving public policy and our social and political institutions. He is the author of The Ethics of State Responses to Refugees.
In this episode, we focus on The Ethics of State Responses to Refugees. We discuss what a refugee is, and what characterizes contemporary refugee movements. We talk about the different philosophical takes on refugees, negative and positive duties, harmful practices, and whether certain harms can be justified. Finally, we discuss direct and structural injustices, and positive duties toward refugees.
Time Links:
Intro
The premise of the book
What is a refugee?
Contemporary refugee movements
Philosophical takes on refugees
Negative duties and positive duties
Harmful practices
Can certain harms to refugees be justified?
Direct and structural injustices
Positive duties toward refugees
Follow Dr. Hillier-Smith’s work!
Follow Dr. Hillier-Smith’s work:
Faculty page: https://tinyurl.com/47hwmnja
Website: https://www.bradleyhilliersmith.com/
PhilPeople profile: https://tinyurl.com/2n7jnu2k
The Ethics of State Responses to Refugees: https://tinyurl.com/59pnxdbh