1. Networks and highly skilled migration in higher education Education and highly skilled migration across geographical frontiers Kelly Wakefield, 28 th August 2013

2. Content  Background  Research  Findings  Context  New geographical spaces/frontiers?  Conclusion

3. Background  Currently researching innovative curricula and international postgraduates experiences of verbal feedback  Finished PhD at Loughborough University in 2012  Opportunity to look back at the data with a new lens

4. Research  Transnational Higher Education Networks (TNLTs) for Learning and Teaching in Geography  178 survey responses and 40 interviews with organisers and users from 9 TNLTs

6. Research  Transnational Higher Education Networks (TNLTs) for Learning and Teaching in Geography  178 survey responses and 40 interviews with organisers and users from 9 TNLTs  Motivations, Experiences, Outcomes of academic networking with focus on Technology utilisation

7. Findings (1)  TNLTs have potential to encourage and further international communication between native English speakers and non- native English speakers  Gender imbalances exist - women less recognised for networking and less financially supported than their male colleagues

8. Findings (2)  TNLTs perpetuate both collectivistic and individualistic tendencies - networking described as contribution to institutional knowledge & strategy to seek career promotion  International academic networking is facilitated only up to a point by technology but not driven by it

9. Context  Academic networking encourages mobility of the highly skilled  Borders involved in networking are fluid  Academics who have to negotiate immigration policy  Incentive to network online rather than travel?

10. Access/knowledge of opportunities Virtual mobility Physical mobility

11. Access/knowledge of opportunities Virtual mobility Physical mobility

12. New geographical spaces/frontiers?  Physical (inter)national travel  Temporary, circular, restrictions(?)  Virtual (inter)national travel  Long-term, restrictions(?)  Are TNLTs spaces where highly skilled migration takes place?

13. Conclusion  TNLTs extend beyond any country’s official boundaries  Borders exist where online communication is restricted (infrastructure or policy)  Impact on career decision-making processes of highly skilled migrants

14.  Thanks for listening k.wakefield@soton.ac.uk