About
Carolynn is a part-time PhD researcher in Sociology in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Southampton. She is funded by ESRC South Coast Doctoral Training Partnership (SCDTP). Her research focusses on how entrepreneurship may contribute to processes of social and economic inclusion and belonging for refugees and migrants in the UK, and the role of local support organisations.
Research
Research groups
Research interests
- refugee and migrant entrepreneurship
- citizenship, belonging and integration
- refugees and work
Current research
Carolynn, with Maria Villares-Varela, was awarded ISBE RAKE funding for the research project ‘Precarious migrant entrepreneurship’ RAKE 2023 RESEARCH PROJECT SUMMARIES – ISBE. Funding was also awarded by the Strategic Research Development Fund, School of Economic, Social, and Political Science at the University of Southampton. Carolynn worked as a researcher on the project 2023-2024.
Publications
Teaching
Carolynn has taught on various modules in sociology and anthropology, leading seminars and guest lecturing, including:
LANG6024 Transnational Movement in the Age of Globalisation
SSPC1002 What's the problem? Debating responses to Contemporary Social Challenges
SSPC2004 Theorizing The Social World
SSPC2013/3015 Race & Ethnicity
Biography
Carolynn’s background is in practice, and she maintains a strong interest in the policy and practice implications of academic research. She has worked in the voluntary sector for 15 years, supporting refugees and migrants in the UK in the areas of mental health, education, social support, family tracing and legal advice. She has worked in roles spanning service delivery, service management, partnership management, communications and fundraising. In 2024-5 she completed an ESRC/SCDTP funded 3-month internship with Oxford City Council, undertaking an evaluation of a pilot programme, across a consortium of 4 local charities, providing employment support for refugees resettled in the UK.
Carolynn previously completed: MSc in Social Research Methods at Southampton University (2018-19); MSc in Violence, Conflict and Development at School of Oriental and African Studies, London (2005-06); and BA (Hons) in Modern History and Politics at Southampton University (2000-03).
Carolynn is an Early Career Fellow at the Work Futures Research Centre and a member of the Centre for Transnational Studies at University of Southampton.
Prizes
- Doctoral College Research Award 2023, Faculty of Social Sciences School Winner (2023)
- Dean’s List Award for Outstanding Achievement (MSc Part Average and Degree Average) (2020)
- Dean’s List Award for Outstanding Achievement (MSc Dissertation Performance) (2020)