Dilek Fidler, S., Clarke, L. and Wang, Y. 2025. From mobility to migration: the impact of socio-cultural and professional factors on international post-doctoral capabilities. Studies in Higher Education. Advanced online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2025.2552824
| Title | From mobility to migration: the impact of socio-cultural and professional factors on international post-doctoral capabilities |
|---|---|
| Type | Journal article |
| Authors | Dilek Fidler, S., Clarke, L. and Wang, Y. |
| Abstract | International Student Mobility is increasing faster than overall international migration, resulting in many students deciding to pursue careers outside their home country. Their aspirations and life goals nevertheless change and intentions during their studies do not necessarily match their actions after graduation. Recognising their vital role in creating a knowledge-based economy, the potential risk of losing qualified individuals has become of growing concern for many countries. The aim of this article is to uncover where PhD students from Turkey end up after completing their studies and to identify changes in the factors influencing their mobility decisions. By applying Structuration Theory and the Capability Approach, a framework is developed integrating macro and micro factors and establishing a capability list for understanding the mobility decisions of highly qualified individuals. A case study of former international PhD students from Turkey in UK is examined using a longitudinal research design, involving two data collection phases, before and after graduation, in 2018 and 2024. In the earlier phase, most students (31 out of 40) interviewed were unwilling to return to Turkey due to political factors. Of those reached (36) in the current phase, 27 live abroad, the majority (20) in UK, 7 in other countries, while 9 returned to Turkey. Interviews with a representative subsection reveal that, although political factors remain significant, socio-cultural and professional considerations have become primary influencers in mobility decisions and for many mobility has become migration. These findings, therefore, have important implications for higher education policymaking concerning international student mobility. |
| Keywords | international student mobility |
| PhD student | |
| capability approach | |
| structuration theory | |
| social and professional environment | |
| Journal | Studies in Higher Education |
| ISSN | 0307-5079 |
| 1470-174X | |
| Year | 2025 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis |
| Publisher's version | License CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 File Access Level Open (open metadata and files) |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2025.2552824 |
| Publication dates | |
| Published online | 10 Sep 2025 |