Dr Agata A. Lambrechts is a doctoral researcher in the Department of Education, University of York, specialising in higher education research. She is particularly interested in access and equity issues, student success and the differential higher education experiences of international students, and students with refugee background. She is also researching doctoral education and academic careers. Her research is primarily qualitative and draws on the theories from sociology of education and beyond, building on her background in law, international politics and human rights. Agata joined the University of York in 2015, after a previous career in higher education administration.

Katherine Smith is a doctoral researcher in the Department of Education, University of York, specialising in research surrounding gender in the National Curriculum for English literature. She is also interested in access to HE, widening participation and addressing inequalities in HE and secondary education. She has worked as a research assistant on a widening participation project based at The University of York, and specialises in qualitative research studies. Her research draws on multiple disciplines, for example gender studies, sociology, politics and English literature to reach conclusions about girls’ engagement with 19th Century Novel set texts and the power structures and cultural aspects that place these novels in the National Curriculum.

Dr Sally Hancock is a lecturer in Education specialising in higher education research. She is particularly interested in access to and outcomes from postgraduate education, including the PhD. She has published on doctoral students’ aspirations, experiences and identities; career aims and decision-making; transferable skills training; and doctoral policy. Her most recent work is focused on PhD employment in and out of the academy, including PhD holders’ sustained engagement in research.