Young people, aspirations, entrepreneurship and wellbeing in sub-Saharan Africa

Project code: GEOG2940217

This PhD grows out of the proposed main supervisor’s research focused on the transitions to adulthood of young people in sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of this PhD project is to explore how young people in the global South construct, sustain or adapt their aspirations in the face of structural constraints and what this means for their current and future wellbeing. It will particularly focus on the growing social and economic shift towards entrepreneurship and social enterprise as ways in which young people are encouraged to prepare for an economically secure adulthood.

In the global North, the aspirations of young people have received increased policy attention in recent years; however there is a dearth of research focusing on the aspirations of youth in sub-Saharan Africa. While significant research has concerned itself with young people’s everyday lives and particularly the challenges they face, little research has taken seriously young people’s views about their futures. This is particularly pertinent in light of current economic challenges and the fact that young people are increasingly struggling to find long-term employment. As a result many are being encouraged to develop their own employment opportunities through self-employment and entrepreneurship, but often with limited social and/or economic support. This project will address whether this is an appropriate solution, or whether in fact young people are increasingly being set up to fail. It is concerned with how youth in sub-Saharan Africa seek to negotiate their pathways to adulthood and look to the future, while adapting to life in a compromised socioeconomic and political context.

This PhD will contribute to knowledge in the areas of geographies of youth, aspiration and social and economic wellbeing. It will seek to link evidence to wider theoretical debate and offer unique insights into the lives of African youth from their own perspectives. It offers an exciting opportunity to make important contributions to the development of youth focused policy and practice in sub-Saharan Africa. It will also prepare the PhD candidate to work in development, advocacy and academia. The supervisory team comprises Dr Caroline Day (Senior Lecturer in Geography and Development), Dr Carol Ekinsmyth (Principal Lecturer, Geography) and Dr Francesca Salvi (Lecturer in Childhood Studies). We bring a wealth of expertise in youth, transitions to adulthood, entrepreneurship and social enterprise and conducting overseas fieldwork in an African context. The PhD will also offer a broad programme of research training provided by the Graduate School.

To apply, fill in the online form using the link below. As part of this application you must submit a CV and a 1000 word proposal on how you would approach the project, which includes a brief rationale and methodology (please upload as a separate document). Further details on information that you might include in this can be found here: http://www.port.ac.uk/application-fees-and-funding/applying-postgraduate/#rd. We strongly recommend that candidates contact the 1st supervisor in advance to discuss the proposed project.