PhD / RESEARCH
My PhD, which I gained at the University of Reading, is titled Identity, Transnational, Translocal Activities and Intergenerational Relationships for Young Zimbabweans in the U.K. The research looks at young Zimbabweans aged 18-30 years living in the U.K. 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 U.K. The project used feminist qualitative methodology and participatory action methods (PAR) to provide insight into the migratory journeys to understand and highlight contemporary immigration issues and experiences of belonging in different spaces. The research devotes attention to how education, work, relationships, race, social networks, intergenerational relations and cultural practices shape young people's identities and establish their participation in the U.K. and the notion of home.
TALKS AND PAPER PRESENTATIONS
-
Quality of Life Foundation -Quality of Life Symposium to social value in residential and neighbourhood areas in the UK roundtable discussion with policy maers- March and June 2022 and September 2023
-
20th IMISCOE Annual Conference 3-6 July 2023 “Migration and inequalities- Warsaw online. In search of answers and solutions – paper on TRANSNATIONAL POLITICAL PARTICIPATION: 1.5 GENERATION YOUNG IMMIGRANTS IN THE UK
-
Springboard Women’s Development Programme presentation – University of Reading ‘Women @Reading’ – May 2023
-
DIVERSIFYING LEADERSHIP – STEPPING INTO AUTHENTICITY – ADVANCE H.E. AND UNIVERSITY OF READING TRAINING INTO LEADERSHIP – JULY 2023
-
Looking Back to Look Ahead-An Agenda for Gender and Feminist Geographies - POSITIONALITY AND EMOTIONS IN RESEARCH WITH REFUGEES: BLACK FEMINIST ‘REFUGEE’ACTIVIST – International Geographical Union (IGU) Centenary congress - 19-22 July, 2022, PARIS
-
Research Seminar African and Gender History – History Department, University of Reading. A dissemination paper ‘Study Hard, Work Hard and Get Married’ – A Generational Gap in the Aspirations for Young Zimbabweans in the UK.
-
Quality of Life Discussion with Quality of Life Foundation – March 2022
-
Place leadership and the voluntary sector – Open University – Centre for Voluntary and Leadership Centre – March 2022 – paper on Community engagement and story-telling in Oxford Road, Reading
-
FAIR BROTHERS – UNIVERSITY OF READING – SHORTLISTED FOR THE PRESENTATION - BUILDING FROM IDENTITY TO COMMUNITIES IN CONTEMPORARY BRITAIN – JANUARY 2022
-
POSITIONALITY AND EMOTIONS ON KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTION FOR PhD RESEARCHERS – Human Geography seminars – University of Reading, January 2020
-
Study Hard, Work Hard and Get Married’ – a generational gap in the aspirations for young Zimbabweans in the UK – International Development, University of Reading, PhD forum, January 2020
-
Improving the experiences of Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children’ on 21stNovember 2019 A national conference focused on sharing & developing best practice and outcomes for UASC hosted by Islington Children Services – a paper on Ensuring the refugee's voice is heard - Improving the experiences of Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children’
-
Institute for Research into Superdiversity Spring Workshop – University of Birmingham – paper on Identity and transnationalism among young diaspora Zimbabweans in the UK - April 2019
-
‘Study Hard, Work Hard and Get Married’ – a generational gap in the aspirations for young Zimbabweans in the UK - RGS-IBG Annual International Conference August, 2019 – London
-
‘Knowledge Brokers in Migrant Third Sector Organisations’ – Open University/Oxford University – Sheffield - September 2018 – Interactive Workshop address the brokering role of refugee and migrant front-line staff in the migration third sector.
-
The state of youth 2: inequality, insecurity and transitions to adulthood in the UK – Bristol University Conference – January 2018 Paper on methods for researching IDENTITY, TRANSNATIONALISM, RESILIENCE AMONG YOUNG ZIMBABWEAN DIASPORA IN THE UK
-
The World is Changing Are We?JOIN THE ZIMBABWE CONVERSATION – Black History month conversation with young people and historians – October 2018
ARTICLES
Belonging
Let’s spill the tea, or in Alice’s words, we need to wake up and smell the coffee.
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
Does a Participatory Action Research approach work with diaspora communities?
“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.
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.
VIDEOS
Poole Degree Ceremony
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
Skip to 21:30 for Alice's presentation.