Parenting and (Im)mobility in Uncertainty: Jin L. Li on Transnational Families and Passing Her Viva

Jin’s work focuses on international migrant families from economically developed countries who live and parent in Guangzhou.  

Her research explores their parenting strategies, family spaces, and everyday lives, revealing how these families view their time in China as a deliberate, enriching choice for their children’s future opportunities.  

She explains, “Even with very limited chances for citizenship or permanent residency, these parents see the embodied experience as a way to foster cultural diversity and deepen their children’s multiple belongings and place attachment.” 

Jin’s academic fascination with family dynamics, migration, and everyday life geography inspired this research, as did her own experiences as a student at an international school in Guangzhou.

“I noticed a gap in the literature—there isn’t much research considering China as a destination for international migration,” she says. “I believe this unique context deserves attention and adds nuance to the geography of transnationalism and international family mobility.” 

Her PhD journey wasn’t without challenges. Conducting fieldwork during COVID-19 meant extended delays in gaining ethics approval and navigating restrictions.  

“It took me over six months to get approval, and arranging interviews and home visits required a lot of patience and flexibility,” she recalls.  

Analysing her data also proved demanding, with an overwhelming volume of material to process. “I wasn’t exaggerating when I said I had too much data,” Jin jokes, reflecting on the intense effort required to distil her findings. 

Reflecting on her viva, Jin describes it as a far better experience than she had anticipated. 

“Even though I had written every word of my thesis, I couldn’t predict the questions. But my supervisors reminded me I was the expert on my project.”  

She advises others to focus not just on content but also on building confidence: “The knowledge is already in your mind; the questions just trigger it.” 

Now, Jin is working on publishing her findings and exploring new academic opportunities.  

She also hopes to translate her research into creative formats like exhibitions or immersive art events. “I’m still figuring it all out,” she says, “but I’m excited for what’s to come.”