PhD / RESEARCH
My research is about Identity and transnational activities for young Zimbabweans in the UK.
The research looks at young Zimbabweans aged between 18-30 years currently living in the UK, regarding their identity, transnational practices and participation. Young people who migrated with their families as refugees or on a working visa (often termed the 1.5 generation) and international students form an essential part of this migration from Zimbabwe to the UK. The project used feminist qualitative methodology to provide an insight into the migratory journeys to understand and highlight contemporary immigration issues and experiences of belonging. The research devotes attention to how education, work, relationships, race, social networks, and cultural practices shape the young people's identities and ascertain their participation in the UK and the notion of home.
ARTICLES
Reading Museum
I also do community research, and recent work is on the
High Streets Heritage Action Zones’ Cultural Programme,
led by Historic England.
The role of coaching and mentoring in supporting black academics
“Whether it is called proper supervision or training on the job or managing how you deal with feelings, or how you talk, coaching is essential. I have benefitted from being coached and also from coaching people myself. These are my personal experiences and might not be exclusive to every black person.
Belonging
Let’s spill the tea, or in Alice’s words, we need to wake up and smell the coffee.
Does a Participatory Action Research approach work with diaspora communities?
The young people felt that although they lived in the UK, they still faced challenges and considered Zimbabwe as ‘home’, often because they had faced racial hostility in the UK. They felt that most of the time, their aspirations were overlooked, leading to them having to work twice as hard as their white peers to demonstrate their talents and abilities.
Poole Degree Ceremony
Skip to 21:30 for Alice's presentation.
Black History Month:
In Conversation with Alice Mpofu-Coles
International Women's Day - Human Geography with Alice Mpofu-Coles
Roundtable:
Celebration & Belonging in Black History Month
VIDEOS
OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS
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Presented a paper at University of Edinburgh’s Centre of African Studies hosted the 8th European Conference on African Studies in 2019
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Presented a paper at the RGS-IBG Annual International Conference 2019 Geographies of Children, Youth and Families Research Group (GCYFRG)-Study Hard, Work Hard and Get Married’ – generational gap in the aspirations for young Zimbabweans in the UK
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University of Bristol seminar on young people
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University of Birmingham Spring School
