Fleeing war, economic difficulties, the effects of climate change and more, contemporary refugees and migrants get a bad press in the UK, yet society commemorates historic refugees, celebrating their successes and their contributions to all aspects of life. Andrea Hammel explores comparisons between refugees and migrants who arrived at different times during the 20th and 21st century and looks at what we can learn from history about overcoming the challenges our society and the migrants and refugees face. Hammel is reader in the modern languages department and director of the Centre for the Movement of People at Aberystwyth University.