| Project Supervisor | Richard Johnson |
| Institution & Department | Queen Mary University of London – Politics and International Relations |
| Research Area | RA6: Public Policy and Governance |
| Project Start Date | By 30/09/2026 – flexible start date offered. |
| Project Duration | 3 months |
| Application Deadline | 31/07/2026 |
| Working Pattern | Part-time (2.5 days per week over 6 months) |
| Working Arrangements | Remote |
| How to Apply | View Guidance Here |
Project Description
Click to View More
In the 1960s and 1970s, about a dozen Local Education Authorities (LEAs) in England transported children on the basis of their racial or ethnic heritage for the purposes of rebalancing or ‘dispersing’ the non-white pupil population in local schools. Known as ‘busing’, this practice looked facially similar to the policy of the same name in the United States; although, it differed in respects in policy origin, design, and implementation.
I have completed extensive archival research in both the US and UK examining the original papers relating to the busing debates in both countries, including among local and national government officials, as well activists and campaigners for and against busing.
This project will be the first book-length treatment that systematically compares busing in the US and UK, observing the similarities and differences in the policies as well as the different political and racial coalitions which formed around it.
Internship Details
This project would benefit from the perspectives of individuals who were themselves bused in the 1960s and 1970s. The intern would primarily be tasked with locating potential interview subjects in both the United States and United Kingdom, introducing them to the project, conducting interviews themselves or co-ordinating interviews with the lead researcher (over Microsoft Teams), assisting in follow-up with the interviewees, and processing interview transcripts. I am looking for adults born roughly between 1955 and 1975, which means they would have been school children when busing was most proactively taking place.
Anticipated Benefits for the Student
The student will gain skills in how to locate interview subjects for research. There is no single list of children who were bused. So this will require some effort. Initial outreach could be made by contacting local history centres and individuals who have spoken on the record already about being bused.
The researcher would then need to build out, quite likely through referrals and word of mouth. Other options might also be considered such as Facebook advertising.
Other skills that the student will develop include:
- Processing interview transcripts
- Skills in engaging interview subjects who may be exposed to sensitive or even traumatic childhood experiences
- Ethical review processes
- Setting up interviews, following up, establishing good rapport
- Conducting interviews
Skills, Experience and Knowledge Requirements
Essential Requirements:
- Highly organised
- Good communicator
- Intuitive thinker
- ‘Detective’ skills
Desirable Requirements:
- Knowledge about the education systems in England and/or USA”
- Language skills (Cantonese, especially, but also Urdu, Punjabi)
- Knowledge about racial/ethnic politics in Britain and/or USA