PhD student projects
Asia Alder - Research in Sociology of Tourism
Investigating travel motivations - an analysis of three generations of Polish people visiting homeland.
I began my studies at Derby in 1998. I completed a Bachelors Degree in Tourism with German followed by a Masters Degree in Tourism, Culture and Environment with distinction, which I completed in 2002.
My PhD research focuses on Polish post Second World War migrants. I am investigating the motivations for travel to homeland between three generations of Polish people, the migrants, their children and grandchildren.
I'm keen to speak to those who have travelled back as tourists as well as those who never went back to visit their home country.
My study is qualitative in nature. Through the use of interviews I'm investigating the individual experiences and meanings people attach to visits back to their ancestral homeland.
My research focuses on the Polish community living in Derbyshire, Derby being the home to one of the best developed post war Polish communities in the UK.
I'm an Associate Lecturer in Travel and Tourism at the University of Derby Buxton and I'm also a project co-ordinator at the Career Development Centre.
Dawn Fisher - Who would choose to teach in the Skills for Life Sector?
A study of motivational factors behind this choice and the implications for tutor recruitment.
I'm currently working as Continuing Professional Co-ordinator with the Skills for Life team at the University of Derby. I've 25 years' experience in the sector in various roles including teaching in community education, probation, family literacy and programme management.
My main teaching role at the moment is teaching teachers and support workers who deliver/support the Skills for Life agenda.
I'm exploring why people choose to work in this sector as opposed to working in mainstream education, where pay scales, training and career progression are much more clearly defined.
