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Hina Shafi

Sport PhD

Hina never believed a PhD studentship would be for her. After having to retake her GCSEs, and facing imposter syndrome with her dyslexia, she wasn’t sure she would make it. However, her passion for cricket and researching representation in the sport, combined with the support of her supervisors at BCU, means she can use her research to truly make a change in the world of talent identification and development in British South Asian Women and Girls in cricket.

Thesis Title: Talent Identification and Development in British South Asian Women and Girls in Cricket 

My research project aims to provide a greater understanding of the talent identification and development process in elite youth cricket and to support enhanced recruitment and retainment of South Asian cricketers in England and Wales. In addition to this, I strive to identify the possible factors contributing to the disparity in representation of British South Asian females within recreational and elite cricket in England and Wales.

Having worked in the field of equity, diversity, and inclusion for almost a decade, I found that many sports organisations attribute low participation and representation to cultural factors alone, whereas in fact, structural barriers are the primary cause of these issues.

During my undergraduate degree, I investigated whether South Asian culture contributes to the underrepresentation in sports for my dissertation. My research found that a lack of representation within the industry reinforces feelings of exclusion, discouraging participation. This is a theme I intend to explore further in my PhD. My doctoral research has the potential to inform organisations such as the England Cricket Board in developing targeted interventions to increase British South Asian representation at the professional level.

I wanted to complete my PhD at BCU because I was attracted to the idea of working with other sporting organisations, and BCU had strong partnerships. I have the honour at BCU to work alongside the England and Wales Cricket Board, Take Her Lead, the South Asian Cricket Academy, and ACE Academy.

My goal as a researcher is to create high-quality research, positively impacting cricket and society, whilst establishing myself as an expert in the field of talent development. I want to see a fairer sporting world that celebrates individuals to be their authentic selves.

The advice I would give to future PhD students would be to believe in themselves, be the change they wish to see in the world and to celebrate their achievements. Most importantly, enjoy the journey.

Negin Khosh Amadi

Built Environment PhD

Having previously studied Civil Engineering and Construction Management in Iran, Negin decided to push herself further to pursue research at Birmingham City University. She is currently working alongside experts here in the Built Environment to create a ‘ Digital Twin ’, a method of monitoring indoor conditions for the tallest building in Birmingham.  

Liam Brolan

Social Sciences PhD

Liam had planned on becoming a police officer, but when he learnt that the local forces weren’t recruiting, he considered going to university. Having first joined BCU as an undergraduate, Liam went on to be a PhD student and is now a course leader in the Criminology department.

Jaspreet Singh

International Human Resource Management PhD

Jaspreet never thought he would ever get the chance to study in the UK, coming from a small village in the Punjab. Since joining BCU, Jaspreet has taken any and every opportunity he can, and worked to tackle discrimination in the city, now focusing on the issue through his PhD.