Biography
Name: Tomiris Gilazh
University: University of Bristol
Title of research: Ethnic disparities in educational and employment outcomes over the early life course
Flagship datasets using: GRADE, LEO
Supervisor: Professor George Leckie
Please tell us about your PhD project.
Although there’s been effort to ensure equal access to education for all, evidence suggests that ethnic inequalities are still present in the English education system. My research project aims to look at ethnic inequalities in educational and employment outcomes over the early life course. Using the linked datasets, I plan to explore how different ethnic groups go through their educational journey and whether some ethnic groups have different experiences, tend to fall off at certain stages of education and follow less “successful” pathways, or have lower aspirations when it comes to choosing university subjects and careers.
What is your key takeaway/ what are your key takeaways from the ADR UK PhD Annual Gathering 2025?
One of my key takeaways from the ADR UK PhD Annual Gathering 2025 is how important timely public engagement is. The presentations and discussions made me realise that effective public engagement can result in relevant and more accurate findings.
Are there any speakers / session or presentation that particularly resonated with you? And why?
The presentation by Dr. Alice Wickersham on pupil trajectories was particularly useful as was quite similar to my research in terms of methodology. Like Dr. Alice Wickersham, I plan to look at academic trajectories for different pupils, but in my case the main variables of interest are ethnicity and educational and career outcomes.
How has the event impacted your perspective on your research?
The event helped me realise how much progress I have made so far and talking to other students made me consider some new theories and methodologies. Additionally, the presentations and the workshops were a good reminder that ultimately, the research we are all doing is meant to serve the public good.
Did the event inspire any new ideas for your current or future research? Can you please share with us your next steps for your research following the event?
In general, being in a room with other PhD students working on administrative data and sharing our project ideas with each other was an inspiring experience on its own, and I had a chance to learn how other students approach the data and analysis. My next steps for my research are planning how to involve the public at the early stages of my research, exploring what is possible to do with data, and developing theoretical framework for the thesis.