Researcher from Germany joins Essex on short-term placement to study expatriates and social media

Jeannine Teichert, Research Associate at the University of Bremen in Germany has been chosen to take part in the YERUN Research Mobility Awards (YRMA).

Jeannine was selected out of a total of 88 applicants to take part in the YERUN Research Mobility Awards (YRMA), which allows academics from international institutions to work together on research projects and share ideas. 

A researcher at the University's Centre for Media, Communication and Information Research (ZeMKI); Jeannine's core research is about friendship relations and how these are challenged and transformed by use of digital media.

Jeannine is delighted to be chosen for YRMA. 

She said: “It’s an honour to be elected to take part in this scheme. Though it is just a short term stay, without the funding and the chance to participate, I don’t think I would have been able to fund this on my own.”

Jeannine explained why she wanted to join the scheme.

She said: “I applied to YRMA because I think it provides a great opportunity to get to know scholars working on similar projects in other countries.”

Jeannine will conduct her research at the Centre for Migration Studies. During her time at the Centre, she will explore how German expatriates who have moved to the UK keep in touch with close friends by different forms of media. Jeannine will also look at the potential impact Brexit will have on identities and migrant stories mediated by digital media.

Jeannine is keen to work in a multidisciplinary research environment and hopes her two-week stay at Essex will be very productive for her research. She is especially looking forward to working together with Dr Renee Luthra, an expert for international migration studies.

She said: “Working together with like-minded and internationally renowned scholars experienced in international migration research provides a wonderful opportunity for me to learn more about quantitative approaches and cultural specifics in migration research.”

“It will be very enlightening for my research and might lead to future collaborative projects, connecting the field of migration studies with intercultural communication and digital media studies.” 

The call for the YERUN Research Mobility Awards opens every October. If you are interested in applying, please visit the YERUN website.