Ji Shi, also known as Rocky, is a PhD student at the Lau China Institute with research interests in the inner periphery. She earned her LLB in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Renmin University of China, and her MSc in China and Globalisation from King's College London.

Rocky presented her research on "Gender Inequality in the Public Voice: A Study on Gendered Nationalism in China" at the BPCS Annual Conference in 2020.

Her research focuses on education inequality, rural development, internal migration, and gender issues in these areas. By examining individual experiences and the societal factors that shape them, Rocky aims to provide valuable insights into these crucial issues.

In her previous work experience, Rocky created non-academic articles and photographs about local culture and terroir of southwestern China as a marketing and communications professional. Currently, she serves as the TEL Administrator of Global Institutes and Communications & Events Coordinator of the Lau China Institute.

Research

Thesis title: 'Rural Educational Migrant Students in China: A Study on Guizhou Province'

This doctoral research project will delve into the educational and integration experiences of high-achieving rural students in Guizhou Province, China.

Specifically, Rocky seeks to understand how this group of migrants are shaped by the policies, economy, and education philosophy changes in contemporary China, and what are the migration experiences of these students as they move from rural to urban areas for better educational opportunities.

Her project uses ethnography and qualitative interviews as the main methodological components.

PhD supervision

• Principal supervisor: Charlotte Goodburn
• Secondary supervisor: Jane Hayward

Further details

See Rocky's research profile