Refugee Entrepreneurship: Belonging and Social Inclusion for Refugees in the UK

我之所以申请这个机会，是因为这是我热爱的一个学科领域。我的职业生涯(14年)，在此之前，我一直在强迫移徙领域工作，涉及许多领域，包括心理健康、就业、教育、法律权利和社会支持。通过这次经历，我对庇护和移民程序及其对个人的影响有了很好的了解：对他们的权利和应得权利；对他们的福祉、身份和归属感；以及对社会包容和融合的前景。这个调查难民创业的研究项目特别吸引人，因为它采用了一种方法，专注于社会包容和社区建设，作为我的专业角色，这是我们工作方式的核心。我很高兴有机会参与研究，有可能对政策和实践产生切实和积极的影响，并对遣返过程产生新的理解。我相信，我的经验、知识和在难民部门的关系将是‘实地’理解和接触方面的一笔财富。我可以提供一些关于塑造难民生活和优先事项的复杂性(有时是矛盾)的洞察，以及对吸引人们参与研究的一些挑战的理解。信任是一个核心问题，我认为在早期阶段与看门人(难民/移民和在该领域工作的组织)建立牢固的关系至关重要。我认为，凭借我现有的人脉以及与广泛的合作伙伴--法定的和自愿的，以及与难民和移民建立牢固的工作伙伴关系--建立牢固的工作伙伴关系，我将处于有利的地位。在我的专业角色中，我在研究方法的某些方面培养了技能，我认为这将为我奠定基础。我一直负责监测和评价各项服务，包括设计和支持监测工具的实施、定量和定性数据的整理和分析以及报告的编写。我监督了对我们服务的外部评估，与研究人员密切合作，并进行了文献审查。我也非常欣赏伦理研究的重要性：考虑参与者的福祉；保密；透明度；以及知情同意。我觉得我有足够的成熟度来处理攻读博士学位的相当大的要求。我的专业角色需要出色的组织和优先处理能力以及分析和战略思维，以满足各种职责范围内的大量需求，通常是在紧迫的最后期限内工作。我通过管理服务(规划、实施、监测、评估和改进)和准备大量资金申请(研究、需求分析、项目设计、证明影响、预算编制)，展示了项目管理和解决问题的技能。我也有出色的沟通和人际交往能力，有成功的协作工作背景，并有能力以一种适合不同受众的方式进行沟通。

I am applying for this opportunity because this is a subject area about which I am passionate. I have spent my career (14 years), and before that my studies, working in the field of forced migration; across many areas including mental health, employment, education, legal rights, and social support. Through this experience I have developed a sound understanding of asylum and immigration processes and the impact these have on individuals: on their rights and entitlements; on their well-being, identity and sense of belonging; and on the prospects for social inclusion and integration. This research project investigating refugee entrepreneurship particularly appeals because of the approach it takes in focusing on social inclusion and community making, something that in my professional roles has been central to our way of working. I would welcome the opportunity to be involved in research which has the potential to have a tangible and positive impact on policy and practice, as well as generate new understandings about the process of belonging.I believe my experience, knowledge and connections within the refugee sector would be an asset in terms of 'on the ground' understanding and access. I can offer insight into some of the complexities (and sometimes contradictions) shaping the lives and priorities of refugees, as well as an appreciation of some of the challenges around engaging people in the research. Trust is a central concern, and I think building strong relationships with gatekeepers (refugees/migrants and organisations working in the field) at an early stage is crucial. I think I would be well placed to do this with my existing connections and an excellent track record of developing strong working partnerships with a wide range of partners, statutory and voluntary, and with refugees and migrants.In my professional roles I have developed skills in some aspects of research methodology, which I think would give me a foundation on which to build. I have been responsible for monitoring and evaluating services, which has included designing and supporting the implementation of monitoring tools, quantitative and qualitative data collation and analysis, and the production of reports. I have overseen external evaluations of our services, working in close collaboration with the researchers and undertaking a literature review. I also have a strong appreciation of the importance of ethical research: considering the well-being of participants; confidentiality; transparency; and informed consent.I feel I have the maturity to be able to handle the considerable demands of undertaking a doctoral degree. My professional roles have required excellent organisational and prioritisation skills as well as analytical and strategic thinking, to keep on top of numerous demands across a diverse range of responsibilities, often working to tight deadlines. I have demonstrable project management and problem solving skills, through managing services (planning, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and improving) and preparing substantial funding applications (research, needs analysis, project design, evidencing impact, budgeting). I also have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with a background in successful collaborative working, and the ability to tailor communication in a way to engage a range of audiences.