Adam Richards-Gray

Adam is a part-time ESRC-funded doctoral student in the Department of Sociology. He holds an MA in Social Science Research (with Distinction) as well as an MA in Industrial Relations (with Distinction), both from the University of Warwick - both MAs were funded by the ESRC. In addition, Adam has a Bachelor's degree in Management Studies (with First Class Honours) from the University of Leeds - he was awarded the Journal of Management Studies prize for the best overall degree performance.

The broad puzzle he is passionate about solving is how wastage of talent can be avoided for individuals from less advantaged backgrounds who show promise – and, in turn, how doing so can drive upward mobility in terms of the destinations and life chances of those from disadvantaged backgrounds. More specifically, his PhD research is focused on the dynamic where individuals from less advantaged backgrounds manage to achieve ‘success’ in public examinations at age 16, but then then make seemingly ‘less ambitious’ next steps educational choices.

Adam's doctoral research is supervised by Professor Ulf LiebeLink opens in a new window and Dr Stella ChatzitheochariLink opens in a new window