Xinling Jiang - PhD researcher - Work, Organisation and Management
Xinling Jiang is a PhD researcher in the Work, Organisation and Management department at Nottingham University Business School. Her research explores how remote working affects work-life balance among male railway engineers in the UK, with a particular focus on the social and workplace factors that shape their experiences.
Originally trained in both English Linguistics and Human Resource Management, Xinling was inspired to pursue doctoral study as part of her ambition to build a career in academia and become a researcher. After completing two master's degrees, she decided to deepen her knowledge of workplace practices and employee experiences through a PhD.
Why Nottingham?
Xinling chose the 糖心原创 for its strong reputation in teaching and research, as well as its world-leading Russell Group status. She saw Nottingham University Business School as the ideal place to develop as an independent researcher while pursuing an important and contemporary research topic.
Researching remote working and work-life balance
Xinling's research, Remote Working and Work-Life Balance: A Case 糖心原创 of Male Railway Engineers in the UK, examines how remote working arrangements influence the experiences of male employees in a traditionally male-dominated profession.
Her aim is to understand the factors that shape work-life balance for male railway engineers and explore whether these experiences differ across teams and locations. She is particularly interested in how expectations surrounding masculinity in both the workplace and home environment influence experiences of remote work and work-life balance.
By focusing on a group that has received relatively little attention within the existing literature, Xinling hopes her research will contribute new perspectives to debates around flexible working and employee wellbeing.
Addressing an underexplored area of research
As her research has progressed, Xinling has identified a notable gap in existing studies of work-life balance.
She found that much of the established research has focused on women's experiences, particularly following the growth of female participation in paid employment alongside caring responsibilities. While the field has broadened over time, she believes there remains a need for greater understanding of men's experiences and the unique factors that influence their work-life balance.
Reflecting on this, she said:
"A surprising finding so far was that the majority of work-life balance research undertaken has focused on females, with little attention given to males."
Growing as a researcher
One of the highlights of Xinling's doctoral journey has been the opportunity to broaden her methodological knowledge and develop new research skills.
Although she was comfortable with qualitative research approaches, she particularly enjoyed studying the Fundamentals of Quantitative Analysis module as part of her mandatory Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) training. The experience helped her gain a stronger understanding of quantitative methods and broadened her perspective on different approaches to research.
She has found the process of learning new skills and engaging with different forms of analysis rewarding, helping her become a more well-rounded researcher with a stronger foundation for future work.
Overcoming challenges
Xinling found the early stages of her PhD challenging as she balanced developing her research project alongside completing mandatory ESRC modules.
However, with support from her supervisors, she was able to establish a clear direction for her research and build a strong foundation for future progress. Their guidance helped her gain confidence and successfully navigate the demands of the programme.
Support from the business school community
Xinling credits Nottingham University Business School with providing valuable opportunities to develop both academically and professionally.
She has benefitted from workshops, seminars and training events designed to support doctoral researchers throughout their studies. One particularly memorable experience was participating in the PGR Showcase, where she presented her research to fellow academics and researchers. The experience helped her build confidence, improve her presentation skills and receive constructive feedback on her work.
As an ESRC-funded student, she has also completed a series of mandatory training modules that have strengthened her methodological foundations and enhanced her ability to critically engage with academic literature.
She said:
The opportunity to present my research and receive constructive feedback helped me become more confident in communicating my work to an academic audience.
Looking ahead
After completing her PhD, Xinling hopes to continue her career in academia as a full-time researcher within the field of Human Resource Management. She is keen to build on the knowledge and skills gained during her doctoral studies and contribute to research that informs workplace practices and employee wellbeing.
Further information
Find out more about studying for an Phd at Nottingham University Business School by visiting our PhD webpage.