Hina Shafi

Sport PhD

Hina never believed a PhD studentship would be for her. After having to retake her GCSEs, and facing imposter syndrome with her dyslexia, she wasn’t sure she would make it. However, her passion for cricket and researching representation in the sport, combined with the support of her supervisors at BCU, means she can use her research to truly make a change in the world of talent identification and development in British South Asian Women and Girls in cricket.

Thesis Title: Talent Identification and Development in British South Asian Women and Girls in Cricket   

My research project aims to provide a greater understanding of the talent identification and development process in elite youth cricket and to support enhanced recruitment and retainment of South Asian cricketers in England and Wales. In addition to this, I strive to identify the possible factors contributing to the disparity in representation of British South Asians within recreational and elite cricket in England and Wales.  

Having worked in the field of equity, diversity, and inclusion for almost a decade, I found that many sports organisations attribute low participation and representation to cultural factors alone, whereas in fact, structural barriers are the primary cause of these issues.  

In my undergraduate degree, I investigated if South Asian culture contributes to the underrepresentation in sports for my dissertation. I found that because South Asians do not see someone who looks like them in the sports industry, they feel they don’t belong – this is something I aim to explore in my PhD research further. My doctoral dissertation could assist organisations such as the England Cricket Board to implement interventions designed to increase British South Asian representation at the professional level.  

I wanted to complete my PhD at BCU because I was attracted to the idea of working with other sporting organisations, and BCU had strong partnerships. I have the honour at BCU to work alongside the England and Wales Cricket Board, Take Her Lead, SACA, and ACE Cricket.  

My PhD journey so far has been really exciting; I’ve been able to connect with many great researchers, colleagues, and high-profile professionals. I am passionate about religion, and it was brilliant to break my fast during Ramadan at a famous cricket stadium with people who practice and don’t practice the religion.   

I have weekly meetings with my supervisor, where we update one another on my progress, any barriers I’m facing or if I need any additional support. I also have monthly meetings with the sport partner organisations I’m working with for my PhD, where I speak to them about the progress of my project. I feel really supported in my work here at BCU and can bring any concerns to my PhD supervisors.  

I think as a PhD candidate, it’s easy to face imposter syndrome – personally, I thought a PhD Studentship would never be something I would be successful in gaining, but here I am! I failed and had to resit my GCSEs and faced a lot of barriers when trying to access sports academia. All I saw was sporting organisations blaming my own culture as a barrier, and I wanted to challenge this. I’m dyslexic and felt this would be a barrier for me, but I am blessed to have a positive support system and supervisor at BCU.  

My goal as a researcher is to create high-quality research, positively impacting cricket and society, and establishing myself as an expert in the field of talent development. I want to see a fairer sporting world that celebrates individuals to be their authentic selves.  

The advice I would give to future PhD students would be to believe in themselves, be the change they wish to see in the world and celebrate their achievements. If you have a passion for your research, nothing should or can stop you!