PhD Study : Claiming Legitimacy and Credibility - An exploration of the identity work undertaken by Female STEM Entrepreneurs

Summary

This research will contribute to the broader women entrepreneurship agenda but to the STEM agenda in particular which has been deemed significant in terms of the UK’s economic development. STEM subjects are considered to be key sources of innovation and job creation. Increasing the number of females in STEM careers is considered to be imperative to achieving the UK’s industrial Strategy. Indeed, only 1 in 10 STEM business owners are women and 13% of those employed in STEM occupations are women (Wise UK Statistics, 2014). DELNI STEM Business Group (2013) report that high level STEM roles constitute 11% of the workforce however, alarmingly men outnumber women by nearly 3 to 1. This is in contrast to other sectors where women constitute 47.3% of the 18-64 workforce. The STEM review in 2009 and corresponding STEM strategies developed in response (E.g. DELNI, Success through STEM, 2011; 2012) highlight the need for research which will help further unravel and address gender bias and disparity in STEM entrepreneurship.

Through the exploration of lived experiences and identity work undertaken by female STEM entrepreneurs, this PhD will not only contribute to the broader agenda of extending knowledge and understanding of the entrepreneurial behavior of females in the UK, but will help unravel the practices needed to encourage females to develop their STEM careers at all levels (DLNI, 2013). Gender perspectives on STEM entrepreneurship is an under researched topic (McAdam and Marlow, 2010; Wajcman, 2010). Whilst there have been various studies which compare male and female entrepreneurial behaviours, there is a need for research which moves beyond gender being an explanatory variable to understand how gender is represented in processes and embedded within contextual and structural arrangements (Alsos et al., 2013). Prior research has found that many female entrepreneurs are profoundly affected by the traditional sociocultural contexts where they need to work around patriarchal barriers in order to succeed (Marlow and McAdam, 2014; McAdam, 2013; Mazonde and Carmichael, 2016).

This PhD will adopt the lenses of identity work, legitimacy, power and emancipation to analyse lived experiences of female STEM entrepreneurs. A qualitative methodology is suggested where Weick’s (1995) sense making methodology, storytelling and critical incident interview techniques could be adopted to encourage female STEM entrepreneurs to reflect on prior experiences in order to help give meaning to experience. This will help them reflect on how to overcome barriers to be deemed legitimate STEM entrepreneurs.

This PhD will have a number of contributions. First, it will extend research in the entrepreneurship field by shedding light on the lived experiences of female STEM entrepreneurs. Second, it will extend the notion of identity work by applying it to a new context i.e. STEM entrepreneurship.  Third, it will have policy and practical implications by identifying interventions which can help support female STEM entrepreneurs which will feed into the wider local and national agenda aimed at encouraging more women into STEM entrepreneurship.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• First Class Honours (1st) Degree
• Masters at 65%

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living