Emerging Futures: Empowering youth in a changing world of work

Are you passionate about understanding the shifting dynamics, and the future of the job market? We are interested in and helping young people navigate their careers in a rapidly changing world.

We invite you to apply for a unique opportunity to join our research team.

The “Emerging Futures” project is dedicated to providing critical insights into how the world of work is evolving in several contexts, particularly for young people. In an era marked by technological advancements, globalization, and socio-economic shifts, it is vital to understand how young people can best prepare for the future, and how can employers be better prepared to welcome new talent. Our project aims to develop a groundbreaking theory for mapping young workers’ human capital and their relationships (social capital) as they transition into the labour market.

We welcome proposals that focus on mapping the skills of youth as they transition into the labour market. This will help us understand how different learning trajectories impact employability success; and skills valued by employers. Associated areas to this line of research can consider the role of technology in shaping skills and the careers of young workers, where you can explore how AI can be harnessed to prepare youth for the labour market. In this context, the enabling and challenging factors of technology can be considered, particularly for those who are at the margins. You might also choose to look into the causes of youth unemployment, examining how economic, social, and technological factors contribute to this issue and propose solutions for local and state governments to reduce joblessness among young people.

Other areas worth considering could include mental health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, and global migration. Here you can examine how labour market forces impact and shape career development of young workers along these lines. Finally, developing effective career mapping frameworks that empower youth to navigate the uncertainties of the modern job market is another vital research area within the project.

Here are some helpful research questions:

o  How do different learning trajectories impact youth employability?

o  How is technology transforming youth skill development, and how can it be optimized for better employability?

o  How does technology redraw the knowledge boundaries which impact on youth employment? That is to say, what do we need to know differently for sustainable youth employment?

o  What drives youth unemployment regionally, and how can access to opportunities for skills development be improved?

o  What effective career mapping frameworks can guide youth in a rapidly evolving job market?

We encourage proposals to employ creative methodologies for their research. You might choose longitudinal methods, such as observations of youth in certain contexts, to gain insights into their learning experiences and skill development over time. Multi-stage interviews with youth and key stakeholders can provide a comprehensive view of the challenges and opportunities in the evolving world of work. Reflective diaries also offer a way for participants to document their experiences, providing rich qualitative data that tracks their growth.

The Successful Candidate should:

Fulfil the entrance requirements for a PhD in the School of Management

Start date:

All PhD students must commence registration and PhD training in September 2025 (The applicants without MRes degree will study on Integrated Management programme School of Management PhD structure and content (bath.ac.uk))

Enquiries and Applications:

Please send requested information and any enquiries direct to Dr Farooq Mughal – [email protected] and Prof Juani Swart – [email protected] who will then advise about making a formal application.

More information about applying for a PhD at Bath may be found on our website.