PhD Study : Mobile Lives: Analysing Changing Patterns of Student Mobilities in a Post-Pandemic World

Summary

International students have been a key feature of the UK’s universities since the neoliberalisation of higher education in the 1980s and 1990s (Beech 2019). Since, academic work has offering insights into all aspects of their mobilities – from policy perspectives and the economic benefits that they bring (Brooks 2018), to the transformative nature of their experiences overseas (Nada et al 2018) and the opportunities that it brings for social and cultural capital accumulation (Brooks and Waters 2011; Waters 2017). However, the global pandemic changed much of this as it influenced radically how students were taught, and prevented or curtailed travel opportunities.

Whilst initial concerns regarding the devastation of the international student sector in higher education appear to have gone unfounded, at least in a UK context, it still poses important questions regarding the longer-term impact of the pandemic. This project will analyse the impact of the global pandemic on student mobilities. It aims to assess the following:

1. How the pandemic changed student mobilities, and the associated response of universities;
2. The impact of the pandemic on the wider student experience such as their mental health and learning;
3. The longer term ramifications of the pandemic on student decision making.

Methodologically there is considerable scope for innovation within this project and it would lend itself to a range of qualitative or quantitative analyses. However, potential options would include social media analysis, interviews, focus groups, diaries, and surveys, as well as analysis of archival and/or media sources. Given the breadth of the project there would also be ample opportunities to tailor the content to the interests of the successful applicant.

The project has significant potential for impact. The nature of student mobilities were already changing prior to the pandemic as new opportunities for higher education overseas became available to students through the rapid expansion of the sector in South-East Asia (Collins and Ho 2014). Consequently ‘traditional’ higher education providers – such as the UK which had implemented a range of unfavourable visa conditions (Beech 2018) – were finding it more difficult to recruit students.

However, the impact of the pandemic is still unfolding, and a timely study dealing with its ramifications represents a significant opportunity to communicate these changes to those in positions of power and influence. The research conducted would be an important source of knowledge, feeding into wider debates around students and student mobilities, geographies of education and studentification.

It is a flourishing and active interdisciplinary research area, and the candidate would benefit from the specialist knowledge provided by the supervisory team. The experiences and expertise that they would gain would make them ideally placed to offer key contributions across a range of geographical and allied research areas.

References will be requested for shortlisted candidates.

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
• A demonstrable interest in the research area associated with the studentship

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