University of East London Homepage

UEL PhD students awarded AHRC funding to research life's rich tapestries

Tuesday 25 September 2007

University of East London (UEL) students Frances Cetti and Solveigh Goett have been awarded grants from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), to fund their PhD research in UEL’s School of Social Sciences, Media and Cultural Studies.

Frances, who completed her MA in Refugee Studies at UEL, one of the leading centres in the UK for refugee studies and research, has worked voluntarily for many years assisting asylum seekers in the UK. Her PhD focuses on confusion surrounding the idea of a ‘European’ identity - in particular, the significance of the figure of the ‘refugee’ in growing fears about 'cultural pollution'.

Frances said: “At a time of unprecedented interest in the impact of migration, my research aims to increase understanding of the role that individuals designated as ‘refugees’ play in the development of ‘Europe’ as a cultural construct.

“Several of my close friends have experienced life as a refugee in the UK. The traumas and hardships they have had to surmount in a context of constant media agitation and widespread misconceptions convinced me of the importance of using research to generate a deeper, more analytical understanding of ‘refugee issues’.

“As a UEL graduate, I was already aware of the university’s high quality resources and teaching. I had no hesitation in choosing to study here again, and am very grateful to my tutors, especially Phil Marfleet, for encouraging and aiding me in applying for the AHRC funding.”

Solveigh Goett’s PhD focuses on the concept of textile narratives, combining a traditional academic approach with practice-based creation of textile objects and installations.

Solveigh said: “Text and textiles are related, both as words and as concepts - they come from the same Latin root, and both involve telling stories. Long before TV and radio, long before books and print, stories were being told through textiles. The spinning of yarns and the weaving of tales bear witness to a relationship that has been fundamental in the creation of the fabric of life. That's why I chose the Centre for Narrative Research as the home for my research. Without their support for my project it is unlikely I would have been able to apply for this award."

Solveigh's work featured in the 'Am I that Name?' exhibition and debate - a research project by Dr Maria Tamboukou of UEL's Centre for Narrative Research, which formed part of the British Sociological Association's Annual Conference, which took place at UEL's Docklands campus in April 2007. A selection of her textile artworks and narratives can be found at www.thetextilefiles.blogspot.com

Alan White, Head of UEL’s Graduate School, said: “Frances and Solveigh have done tremendously well to achieve AHRC funding. It’s an extremely competitive field; around 5,500 candidates applied to the AHRC this year and the success rate was roughly 25%.

“Our Graduate School has been established to enhance the quality and scope of research at UEL by supporting and promoting the work of academics and postgraduate research students. We are committed to providing a comprehensive support service, ensuring that our research students fulfil their potential and produce research of national and international importance.”

UEL’s School of Social Sciences, Media and Cultural Studies is 5-rated for research in media, communications and cultural studies, placing UEL in the top seven universities in the UK. With more than a hundred active researchers, the School enjoys a growing international reputation in fields as diverse as modernist literature and cinema, human evolution and urban development.

For further information, visit www.uel.ac.uk/ssmcs.

Ends/.

For details and pictures contact Patrick Wilson: 020 8223 2061 or 07951 797 975

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

Information for screenreader users:

For a general description of these pages and an explanation of how they should work with screenreading equipment please follow this link: Link to general description

For further information on this web site’s accessibility features please follow this link: Link to accessibility information