1. Mobility café for doctoral researchers
FEB
Motolani Agbebi
Doctoral researcher, University instructor

2. Few words about me Name: Motolani Agbebi
I work at the Faculty of Management (JKK) as a University Instructor in administrative sciences and as a doctoral researcher.
Research Interests: Sino-Africa relations and its implications for Africa’s development , Human capital development in Africa, Capacity building in the SME sector, Strategic Human resource management in Multinational corporations.
11/7/2018

3. Mobility period abroad 1: CHINA
My experience Host Institution: Centre for African studies, Peking university, Beijing, China. Mobility period: 16 September – 13 October 2015 Funding: UTA Bilateral teacher exchange
11/7/2018

4. 11/7/2018 Plan to go on mobility at least twice during PhD study
Explore my research questions and data collection possibilities
Establish connections and develop network of researchers in the area of African studies and Sino-African relations
Identified a Professor with expertise in Sino-Africa relations
Explored opportunities/agreements with universities based in Beijing
Confirmed university had an agreement with Peking University, Beijing
ed potential host and proposed research visit
After some communication, he agreed to host me
Funding options discussed with Int’l office
Mobility arranged, arrived in Beijing
One month visit- Several Interviews conducted, meetings, organized research seminar
Came back, filled out mobility report, received certificate
Remained in contact, contact still valuable.
11/7/2018

5. Mobility period abroad 2: SWEDEN
My experience Host Institution: Nordic Africa Institute, Uppsala, Sweden Mobility period: 3 April – 2 May 2017 Funding: NAI Scholarship (Travel expenses, accommodation and 200 SEK daily stipend) Application deadline: 1.10, Notification of scholarship:
11/7/2018

6. 11/7/2018 Plan to go on mobility at least twice during PhD study
Make use of the NAI resources and library to write paper 3 and 4 and sketch out thesis summary
Establish connections and further develop network of researchers in the area of African studies and Sino-African relations
Applied for NAI scholarship for researchers based in Nordic countries
I was granted the scholarship, which included accommodation, travel expenses and a daily stipend
I was given a host within the research institute
Communicated with the host prior to visit
Mobility arranged, arrived in Uppsala
One month visit- Accessed library resources, had research meetings with host, participated in research seminars, and other events hosted by NAI
Concluded paper 3 – proceeded to submit to journal, partly finalised 4, thinking of returning for writing summary.
Remained in contact, contact still valuable.
11/7/2018

7. Mobility period abroad 3: UK
My experience Host Institution: Global Development Institute, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. Teaching Visit period: Funding: Erasmus+ staff mobility for teaching (travel expenses, accommodation and daily allowances)
11/7/2018

8. 11/7/2018 Plan to go on mobility at least twice during PhD study
Further develop my teaching skills and experience
Re-stablish connections and further develop network of researchers in the area of management and International Development
Establish research collaboration with researchers at IDPM
Secured an invitation during a summit held in Birmingham during summer, 2017
Discussed with my supervisor and international education coordinator, Laura Lalu
Proceeded to get a written invitation from host at IDPM, Dr Farhad Hossain
An Erasmus+ teaching staff agreement was drafted by Terhi Nieminen at JKK, signed by both JKK and UoM
Completed a travel plan and made necessary arrangements
Teaching programme and other activities was agreed upon prior to visit
Mobility arranged, arrived in Manchester
Engaged in teaching, carried out tutorials, participated in departmental seminar, attended a PhD viva, had meetings on potential research collaborations and publications.
Possible Erasmus teaching visit to UTA by researcher from UoM next autumn
Working on joint journal article with a fellow researcher at UoM
11/7/2018

9. Issues to consider
Finding accommodation Making contact/finding a supervisor in your host institution Making the most of your mobility
11/7/2018

10. Conclusions based on my experience
Support and funding available at UTA has been very instrumental in my mobility periods abroad
International mobility is achievable with adequate planning and resources.
Mobility has enabled me to build useful networks, that are in turn essential for a successful career in academia
Mobility has so far positively impacted my performance and productivity.
It has given me an exposure to international research environments and thus enhanced my international experience
Being exposed to research and focus areas of other researchers has given me a few research ideas I plan to explore in the future.
The positive effects of mobility outweighs the perceived negatives or challenges associated with mobility.
11/7/2018

11. Research mobility for doctoral researchers course
Doctoral school course offered in the autumn semester
Practical and results oriented course
Main aim of the course is to give practical tools, information and support to enable participants embark on research mobility.
This course is for you if you would like to
understand the need, importance and practicalities of research mobility during this early stage of their research career
be aware of and able to identify opportunities available to undertake international research mobility
know of the different sources of funding available and how best to access them.
know the do’s and don’ts when applying for research mobility funding, grants and scholarships.
11/7/2018

12. You can change the world only if you know how it works.
THANK YOU
You can change the world
only if you know how it works.
11/7/2018