Networks and highly skilled migration in higher education

Education and highly skilled migration across geographical frontiersKelly Wakefield,28th August 2013

Content

Background

Research

Findings

Context

New geographical spaces/frontiers?

Conclusion

Background

Currently researching innovative curricula and international postgraduates experiences of verbal feedback

Finished PhD at Loughborough University in 2012

Opportunity to look back at the data with a new lens

Research

Transnational Higher Education Networks (TNLTs) for Learning and Teaching in Geography

178 survey responses and 40 interviews with organisers and users from 9 TNLTs

Research

Transnational Higher Education Networks (TNLTs) for Learning and Teaching in Geography

178 survey responses and 40 interviews with organisers and users from 9 TNLTs

Motivations, Experiences, Outcomes of academic networking with focus on Technology utilisation

Findings (1)

TNLTs have potential to encourage and further international communication

between native English speakers and non-native English speakers

Gender imbalances exist - women less recognised for networking and less

financially supported than their male colleagues

Findings (2)

TNLTs perpetuate both collectivistic and individualistic tendencies - networking described as contribution to institutional knowledge & strategy to seek career promotion

International academic networking is facilitated only up to a point by technology but not driven by it

Context

Academic networking encourages mobility of the highly skilled

Borders involved in networking are fluid

Academics who have to negotiate immigration policy

Incentive to network online rather than travel?

Access/knowledge of opportunities

Virtual mobility

Physical mobility

Access/knowledge of opportunities

Virtual mobility

Physical mobility

New geographical spaces/frontiers?

Physical (inter)national travelTemporary, circular, restrictions(?)

Virtual (inter)national travelLong-term, restrictions(?)

Are TNLTs spaces where highly skilled migration takes place?

Conclusion

TNLTs extend beyond any country’s official boundaries

Borders exist where online communication is restricted

(infrastructure or policy)

Impact on career decision-making processes of highly skilled migrants

Thanks for listening

k.wakefield@soton.ac.uk