Mursheda Begum

Thesis title:

Profiling UK regulated professions by ethnicity and sex, and ways to improve their representativeness

Abstract:

Mursheda’s project examines the distribution by sex and by national origin or ethnicity [subsequently called just ethnicity for short] of members of UK regulated professional bodies, such as accountants, doctors, engineers and solicitors. The intention would be to see if some groups, such as Bangladeshi women, are significantly under-represented, whether the situation has changed over recent decades, and what steps are being or could be taken to improve the representativeness of the chartered professions and other professional groups. The project will also examine any barriers to the advancement of minorities within their professions.The methodology proposed is to compare the surnames and the given names of the professionals with two large proprietary databases of names that have been classified by ethnicity and by sex. This analysis of the composition of the professions will be complemented by surveys of their members, especially those of ethnic minorities and women, in order to learn about the difficulties (if any) that they faced on gaining entry and in seeking to advance their careers. It would also ask about external help that they received, including financial assistance and advice from mentors or family members. Work with the administrative staff of the professional groups would then explore ways in which they could improve the inclusiveness of their professions. This would not only promote social and ethnic cohesion, but also provide a source of additional professional talent.

First supervisor:

Grant Lewison

Pathway:

5 – Work, Organisations & Business Management

Cohort:

2017-18