Mali Gunter
About
My research project
Widening access to higher/degree apprenticeships for young people from underrepresented backgrounds.My research explores the aspirations and experiences of young people from underrepresented backgrounds who are undertaking or have completed higher and degree apprenticeships. Anchored in Bourdieu’s theory of capitals, the project examines how social, cultural, and economic capitals shape their trajectories into and through apprenticeship pathways.
This work follows a three-study design:
- A qualitative study investigating apprentices’ lived experiences and future aspirations.
- An exploration of structural and societal barriers that affect access to higher and degree apprenticeships for underrepresented groups.
- A policy analysis supported by quantitative data assessing the extent to which current apprenticeship systems promote equitable participation and outcomes.
The long-term goal of this research is to generate evidence-based policy recommendations that improve access, retention, and success for disadvantaged young people. This work also informs my commercial venture, Guapo, an ed-tech platform I founded to support young people from underrepresented backgrounds in navigating and securing opportunities within the apprenticeship and wider skills landscape.
Supervisors
My research explores the aspirations and experiences of young people from underrepresented backgrounds who are undertaking or have completed higher and degree apprenticeships. Anchored in Bourdieu’s theory of capitals, the project examines how social, cultural, and economic capitals shape their trajectories into and through apprenticeship pathways.
This work follows a three-study design:
- A qualitative study investigating apprentices’ lived experiences and future aspirations.
- An exploration of structural and societal barriers that affect access to higher and degree apprenticeships for underrepresented groups.
- A policy analysis supported by quantitative data assessing the extent to which current apprenticeship systems promote equitable participation and outcomes.
The long-term goal of this research is to generate evidence-based policy recommendations that improve access, retention, and success for disadvantaged young people. This work also informs my commercial venture, Guapo, an ed-tech platform I founded to support young people from underrepresented backgrounds in navigating and securing opportunities within the apprenticeship and wider skills landscape.
My qualifications
Alongside my work in academia and Ed-Tech, I perform as Guapo Marlz and am the founder of Trapanomics, a long-running London-based rap events brand, which allows me to engage with urban culture, music, and community networks.
My involvement in music, urban culture, and cultural entrepreneurship directly informs my academic research, offering practical insights into how cultural capital, creative networks, and community engagement shape opportunities for young people. These experiences complement my research on social mobility, apprenticeships, and equity, enabling me to explore how creative and professional pathways intersect for underrepresented youth.
ResearchResearch interests
Boosting social mobility outcomes for young people from underrepresented backgrounds, with a focus on higher/degree apprenticeships. This work explores how young people access and navigate apprenticeship opportunities, and how cultural participation intersects with mainstream pathways. Engagement in culture can provide skills, confidence, and networks that complement formal learning, helping young people succeed in apprenticeships and progress in their careers. By understanding these intersections, the research highlights ways to increase inclusion, equity, and social mobility through both professional and cultural pathways.
Research projects
Access Unlocked: Pathways To ApprenticeshipsThrough Guapo, I collaborated with the youth-led platform Investate to deliver Access Unlocked: Pathways to Apprenticeships in partnership with Queen Mary University London as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science.
Drawing on my academic research, I helped design and guide the event, supporting students from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds in exploring apprenticeship opportunities. The event provided practical guidance, insights from industry professionals, and strategies to build the skills and confidence needed for careers in tech, digital industries, and beyond. It also served as a platform to showcase Guapo, demonstrating how Ed-Tech initiatives can create meaningful pathways for social mobility and professional development.
Research interests
Boosting social mobility outcomes for young people from underrepresented backgrounds, with a focus on higher/degree apprenticeships. This work explores how young people access and navigate apprenticeship opportunities, and how cultural participation intersects with mainstream pathways. Engagement in culture can provide skills, confidence, and networks that complement formal learning, helping young people succeed in apprenticeships and progress in their careers. By understanding these intersections, the research highlights ways to increase inclusion, equity, and social mobility through both professional and cultural pathways.
Research projects
Through Guapo, I collaborated with the youth-led platform Investate to deliver Access Unlocked: Pathways to Apprenticeships in partnership with Queen Mary University London as part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science.
Drawing on my academic research, I helped design and guide the event, supporting students from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds in exploring apprenticeship opportunities. The event provided practical guidance, insights from industry professionals, and strategies to build the skills and confidence needed for careers in tech, digital industries, and beyond. It also served as a platform to showcase Guapo, demonstrating how Ed-Tech initiatives can create meaningful pathways for social mobility and professional development.