Hello there! I'm Bianca Chigbu (Ph.D.), a passionate labor relations and educational sociologist driven by a love for learning and a commitment to shaping the future of education and labor relations. Over the past seven years, I've immersed myself in academia and research, bringing enthusiasm and expertise to every endeavor.
In my current role as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Fort Hare, I'm actively involved in a project titled "Decarbonizing transport sector, remanufacturing, and just job transition: Co-creation of stakeholder's perspectives." My work involves not only contributing to the project's conception and execution but also delving into unique research on Electric Vehicle spent Lithium-ion batteries. This project investigates the intricate connection between recycling, remanufacturing, decarbonization, just job transfers, and long-term socioeconomic development, with a particular emphasis on the ever-changing labor market and the crucial role of skills and technology in adjusting to a changing world of work. My scholarly interests span education and labor relations to the developing green economy, just socioeconomic transitions, transgressive and transformative education, social learning, skills development pathways, and more significant sustainability issues. Beyond that, I've had the privilege of collaborating with a diverse team, co-authoring mixed-method scholarly articles in reputable, high-impact journals, and supervising students.
With a distinguished background in lecturing and senior lecturing across diverse Sociology disciplines at the University of Fort Hare, I played a pivotal role in developing and re-curriculating the curriculum. My teaching journey included managing large classes, exploring a spectrum of topics from the Philosophy of science to labor relations and research methods, and employing innovative strategies to engage students. Achieving a remarkable 95% pass rate and supervising numerous theses to completion were among the many rewarding aspects of my time as a lecturer.
My academic journey took root with a Bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management, leading to a Master's in Sociology of Labour Relations And Education and culminating in a Doctorate in Social Sciences focusing on Labour Relations Sociology. Along this path, I've been honored with scholarships, awards, and affiliations with esteemed organizations like the South African Sociological Association.
Beyond academics, I'm actively engaged in media discussions with national and international media outlets such as Aljazeera, africacheck.org, and Mail & Guardian, contributing valuable insights on critical issues like unemployment and evolving workplace dynamics. Conferences and seminars are platforms where I've shared my research findings, addressing topics such as sustainable employment creation, virtual learning, decarbonization of the labor market, and the decolonization of higher education.
I continue contributing to the academic community as a Guest Editor on the Editorial Board of Work, Employment, and Organizations (specialty section of Frontiers in Sociology). I've also lent my expertise as a reviewer for esteemed journals, showcasing my commitment to maintaining high standards in the field.
When I'm not immersed in research and academia, you'll find me indulging in my hobbies of recycling, blogging https://cleansehervibe.com, traveling, socializing, and enjoying action movies. I speak English and Igbo fluently, reflecting my diverse cultural background.
Feel free to connect with me on Twitter or follow me on LinkedIn. You can also Email me. Let's embark on a journey of knowledge, collaboration, and sustainable and inclusive development together!