Co(l)laboratory Researcher Profiles
Project Title: What does it mean to be “work-ready”? Investigating the education-employment transition for young people in former coalfields areas
What were you doing before starting this PhD?
Before beginning my PhD, I was working as an Apprenticeship Developer and Teacher for a local authority Adult Education service. I have also worked within primary education in a strategic support role as a School Business Manager. Learning has been an ongoing passion throughout my working life – but due to personal circumstances my academic journey has followed a non-traditional route. I recently completed a Master’s Degree level apprenticeship alongside my teaching role and the experience from this will be invaluable to my PhD.
What motivated you to apply for this specific PhD project?
This PhD topic aligns to my own experience of the education-employment transition within Nottinghamshire, and to my prior employment. In education I have worked closely with children, their families and wider school communities – their qualitative views will be crucial to the success of the PhD. I have previously collaborated with organisations including the Department for Education and Institute of Apprenticeships and Technical Education, and will be disseminating my findings to adjust policy and benefit young people in the future.
What difference do you hope to make in Nottingham through this research?
The end goals of the research are to propose solutions that will have meaningful impact on social policy and experiences of young people within the former coalfield areas of Nottinghamshire. I intend that my presence as a researcher from Nottinghamshire will motivate local students and researchers of the future. I want to demonstrate that with hard work it is possible to pursue your goals and dreams – no matter what your starting point or obstacles that may be faced along the way.
What do you hope to be doing in 5 years’ time? (personally and/or professionally)
At present – this is a difficult question to answer! My initial priority is to successfully complete the PhD! After that, I hope to be working within an academic or teaching role, and to have published work and be involved with further academic research. I am staying open minded about my future for now. The PhD is already creating opportunities that I had never considered before and as I progress my mindset will likely change.