Public administration and the governance of refugee camps

Abstract Despite extensive research on the sociopolitical conditions of refugees and camp life, little is known about the governance of refugee camps. This is concerning given the importance of governance in meeting refugee needs, upholding rights, and providing opportunities. In this essay, we explore the relevance of refugee camps to major areas of public administration research and examine possible challenges the field might face in studying refugee camp governance. We invite public administration scholars to lead the charge in studying, understanding, and ultimately improving refugee camp governance.