Social Science: Accounting, Finance, Business and Management
This studentship provides the exciting opportunity for the successful candidate to explore how modes of virtual working have impacted those with a self-identified impairment or disability, and to identify ways to ensure virtual careers are inclusive and free from discrimination.
Around 16% of working age people in the UK have an impairment or disability, and are widely recognised as experiencing a ‘disability divide’ in terms of employment-related marginalisation and disadvantage in the labour market. Not only do they experience higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, but once in employment are less likely to progress within organizations or attain promotion. Much of this is to do with having to overcome a number of barriers and challenges caused by ‘organizational ableism’: the way work and its processes, structures and cultures implicitly assume the predominance and superiority of an ‘able-bodied’ normative employee.
With the move to virtual modes of working, accelerated due to Covid-19, it is likely that virtual working has specific effects that are more pronounced for those with a self-identified impairment or disability. In particular, for those entering or negotiating their early careers in the new virtually-dominated world, it is likely that there are significant and compounding effects on the perceptions they face, as well as career opportunities and trajectories. This project will explore what these effects might be, how individuals negotiate them, and what are the possibilities for producing enabling and inclusive virtual workplace environments that are inclusive for early career individuals with impairments or disabilities.
The project will begin with analysing secondary data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study to provide a landscape overview of the key forms of impairment young people experience and how they relate to employment outcomes. It will then involve a qualitative interview-based study with recent HE graduates, school leavers/apprentices and professional bodies to explore the challenges, complexities and opportunities surrounding inclusive virtual careers. Training and close guidance on methods and analysis will be provided will be provided to the successful candidate.
Findings, disseminated through academic outputs and international conferences, and the creation of user-orientated content such a deck of resources for career professionals and digital content, will provide an empirically rich, timely, and contemporary understanding of how online and blended work/workplaces can ensure inclusivity and opportunity for all young people.
Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- A demonstrable interest in, and passion for, advancing equality, diversity and inclusion in the labour market
- A good first degree or predicted first degree (at least 2:1), preferably with a social science or health-related component, or equivalent experience. Note that we are aware that studying during Covid-19 may have disproportionately impacted academic performance for many. Therefore, we also encourage applications from those whose full academic transcript may demonstrate potential for 1st class or 2:1 prior to Covid-19.
For a +3 award (see below) applicants must additionally have:
- A good or predicted Master’s degree at merit or distinction level in a social science or health-related area; and
- The equivalent of 60 credits research methods training at Master’s level (60 credits = around one third of your overall degree).
- A foundational understanding of social science research methods
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, genders, ages, sexualities, religions and beliefs. We particularly encourage applications from those who have experience of disability or a self-identified impairment.
Please note that all applicants must also meet the ESRC eligibility criteria. ESRC eligibility information can be found here.
For full details and to apply for this studentship, please visit the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science (SGSSS) website here.
Applications will be ranked by a selection panel and applicants will be notified if they have been shortlisted for interview by 12th April 2021. Interviews will take place on 19th April 2021.
All scholarship awards are subject to candidates successfully securing admission to a PhD programme within The University of Glasgow. Successful scholarship applicants will be invited to apply for admission to the relevant PhD programme after they are selected for funding.
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