PhD Study : Stimulating female empowerment and emancipation through entrepreneurship education in Post Conflict Contexts

Summary

Aim of Research

To explore how females can be empowered and emancipated through entrepreneurial education in order to improve social and economic opportunities within disadvantaged communities in a post conflict setting.

Research Background

Education is inextricably linked to ending extreme poverty, however, whilst education is considered a fundamental human right, in low income countries a loss of education results in reduced socio-economic opportunities and costs countries between $15 trillion and $30 trillion in lost lifetime productivity and earnings (Wodon et al 2018). Prior research identifies how developing entrepreneurship skills can “improve the status of women, lead to enhanced family and community well-being and broader societal gains” (Haugh and Talwar, 2016, pp. 643). Indeed, research has found that marginalised individuals, such as females in particular contexts are empowered and emanticipated through entrepreneurship (Mongelli and Rullani, 2017; Alkhaled and Berglund, 2018). Jennings et al; (2014, pp. 91) identify that “the emancipation perspective views entrepreneurial endeavors as change-creating efforts through which individuals or groups seek to break free from (and potentially break up) existing constraints within their economic, social, technological, cultural, and/or institutional environments”. Walter and Block (2016) identify the strong relationship between entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial activity within entrepreneurship-hostile environments (characterised by low entrepreneur-friendly regulations, opportunities for finance, educational capital and control of corruption). Consequently it is suggested that entrepreneurship education has the power to aid social and economic opportunities of females in post conflict countries. However, there is a lack of research on the role of context within entrepreneurship (Venugopal and Viswanthan, 2019; Zahra and Wright, 2011; Welter and Smallbone, 2011). Furthermore, research is needed on how female entrepreneurship within a multi-ethnic country; where a ‘one-size-fits-all’ entrepreneurship education programme will not suffice, when faced with multiple layers of cultural and contextual influences.

Methodology

This research will be conducted within the post-conflict and multi-ethnic country Myanmar where socio-cultural norms and political-institutional factors have influenced females social and economic opportunities (Davis and Joliffe, 2016; Kernohan et al. 2018). An exploratory approach will be adopted including surveys, focus groups and community consultations across four regions within Myanmar. This PhD is linked to a larger project where local data collection teams have already been identified within Myanmar and who will aid the local data collection process which will then be analysed by the PhD candidate.

Key Tasks

*Conduct a systematic review of female entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial education within disadvantaged and post conflict regions

*Explore how socio-cultural and political-institutional contextual factors influence females attitudes, behaviours, skills and entrepreneurship resources

*Analyse the barriers and opportunities for female entrepreneurship within different regions in Myanmar

*Explore how entrepenurship education can empower and emancipate females to overcome social and economic deprivation in Myanmar

*Identify mechanisms for implementation to develop female entrepreneurship education within Myanmar

*Conduct an analysis of community economic activity and map existing and potential social entrepreneurship opportunities.

*Develop recommendations to inform a curriculum for a entrepreneurship educational programme designed for disadvantaged females

*Develop policy and practical recommendations on how to stimulate greater female entrepreneurship within Myanmar

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.

• A comprehensive and articulate personal statement
• Research proposal of 2000 words detailing aims, objectives, milestones and methodology of the project

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.

• Completion of Masters at a level equivalent to commendation or distinction at Ulster

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

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