Find out more about Joy Chinwe Aguguo's journey into research.
After Joy Chinwe Aguguo moved jobs between human resources into software testing she became increasingly aware that there were fewer women around her in technology. Joy began asking why women were entering the sector but, in many cases, were not staying. More importantly, she wanted to understand what happened before they decided to leave.
Now a PhD researcher at 91茶社, Joy is exploring employee disengagement among women in the UK tech sector. Rather than beginning with the point at which someone resigns, her research looks at the earlier and less visible withdrawal that can develop while an employee remains in their organisation.
From HR into technology
Joy began her career as an HR professional, where the software and systems she used every day sparked an unexpected interest. She found herself wondering what was happening behind the screen, how the applications worked and why they behaved as they did.
"Sometimes research ideas do not begin with a question. They begin with curiosity."
That curiosity led her to train in software testing, gain an ISTQB certification and begin a new career as a Software Test Engineer. Understanding the technology answered some of her questions, but her experience in the sector raised another.
The more Joy looked around, the more she noticed the gender imbalance. Much of the existing conversation focused on attracting women into technology or understanding why they left. Joy became interested in the period before departure, when someone may still be present at work but has begun to withdraw psychologically from their role or organisation.
What began as curiosity about how software works has evolved into a much bigger curiosity about how people experience the workplace. In many ways, my journey has come full circle, from HR to technology and now back to people.
Understanding what happens before women leave
Technology shapes how people work, communicate and access everyday services. Joy believes the sector needs a wide range of perspectives, and that the loss of women from its workforce has consequences for organisations, innovation and the wider economy.
Her study will explore how women in the UK tech sector experience disengagement and the organisational and cultural conditions that may contribute to it. It will also consider differences between women's experiences, including how overlapping aspects of identity and background may affect the way disengagement develops.
Joy hopes the findings will help HR professionals and technology leaders recognise the signs earlier and develop more targeted, inclusive approaches to employee engagement and retention.
"What I enjoy most is knowing that my research could contribute something meaningful to existing knowledge and, hopefully, make a difference beyond academia"
A goal years in the making
A PhD had been part of Joy's plans since 2017. She began developing a research proposal, but put it on hold after securing a demanding project to deliver a new healthcare application in Cornwall.
The ambition never disappeared. During a training session in Cornwall, Joy was asked to write down her goals for the next five and ten years. Completing a PhD appeared on her ten-year list.
"Looking back, it is interesting to see that what I wrote down as a goal years ago has become my reality. Sometimes our plans take longer than expected, but that does not mean we have given up on them."
A PhD is no moi moi
Beginning the PhD brought a period of uncertainty. Joy arrived hoping that she would quickly understand what was expected, but soon discovered how different doctoral study was from a Master's degree.
"It was definitely not moi-moi," Joy joked.
In Nigerian Pidgin, "no be moi-moi" describes something that is not easy or simple, but requires significant effort and resilience.
As she read more, attended training at 91茶社 and spoke with colleagues who had already experienced doctoral study, the process gradually became clearer. Support from her supervisors has also helped her work through questions and uncertainty.
Her days now combine reading, writing, training, conferences and other academic activities. Aware that doctoral research can sometimes feel lonely, Joy makes a conscious effort to connect with others, ask questions and seek clarification rather than struggle in silence.
Keeping sight of the why
Joy's advice to future PhD researchers is to choose a subject they genuinely care about and to keep returning to the reason they began. Passion, she believes, helps carry a researcher through the difficult and frustrating stages of the journey.
She also stresses the importance of making time for rest and life outside research, as well as thinking early about what should follow the PhD.
Keep reminding yourself of your 'why PhD?' That reason can keep you going when things get difficult. And do not wait until the end to ask what comes next. The PhD is part of the journey, not the destination.
Joy describes her experience so far as challenging, enjoyable and the right decision. The uncertainty has not disappeared completely, but each stage is helping her understand her subject, her research and the contribution she hopes to make.
Find out more about postgraduate research at 91茶社