Sharon Chohan graduated with her PhD in Employment Research in October 2020. Details of her thesis: New Public Management and its impact on the Voluntary Sector- a case study of youth unemployment services in Coventry, can be viewed on the Warwick Research Archive Portal when available.

Sharon joined the IER as a doctoral researcher, attached to the Pathways Project team: Precarious pathways to employment for young people? Unpaid, temporary and involuntary part-time work in transitions from education to employment. The project was a collaboration between the University of Warwick, Aston University, University of Leicester and Open University Business School. The aim of this project was to conduct detailed interdisciplinary research, to address questions within the socio-economic contexts in which young people currently compete for employment. Sharon’s specific involvement was analysing the contribution of the Voluntary Sector and its ability to be efficient and effective, whilst supporting vulnerable young people with employment opportunities. Sharon was selected to present her preliminary findings at the prestigious NordWel International Summer School, which was held at the Finnish Institute of Rome in 2017.

Prior to joining the IER, Sharon had completed a MSc in Project Management and BA in Politics and Sociology also at the University of Warwick. She has over a decade experience working for public and third sector organisations, most recently in a senior management role lobbying on behalf of family carers and securing substantial funding to develop services for young carers.

Sharon is currently working as a Business Efficiency Manager for a registered charity, which was established in 1988 employing over 1,500 staff and has 21 villages and schemes across the UK. The charity specialises in developing mixed tenure retirement communities for older people. Sharon has successfully mixed her passion for community work and achieving efficiency, to deliver positive outcomes for vulnerable groups.