Meet Ryan Lee

Project Title: Invisible Poverty and the politics of survival: Role of Social Enterprises and Community-centered Organisations as Alternative Infrastructures

What were you doing before starting this PhD?

I was born and raised in a town less than an hour from Leicester. After finishing my undergraduate in 2019, I started working in Leicester and moved to the area after Covid-19.

After graduating with a degree in Marketing, I worked exclusively in the third sector, specifically for children’s charities. My previous experience working with social enterprises and charities in Leicester.

What motivated you to apply for this specific PhD project?

I am passionate about equality and challenging structural injustices that are deeply embedded within society. These issues remain largely hidden in the figures and absent from the political narrative, despite inequality significantly worsening in recent decades. The invisibility of poverty in 21st century Britain prevents the lived-experience and struggle to make ends meet. Therefore, this community-focused research would provide an important contribution to understanding the various forms of invisible poverty, allowing progressive initiatives within the community and policy.

What difference do you hope to make in Leicester through this research?

I hope that this research gives voice to and uncovers key hidden struggles of people living in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland. In turn, enabling local social enterprises and community to respond to any unmet needs, as well as unifying and championing the need for specific changes in policy.

What do you hope to be doing in 5 years’ time?

I am excited about the possibility of taking this research further and exploring any meaningful gaps that still need attention. I would love to continue contributing to this field by producing research that deepens our understanding of key sociological issues, whether here in the UK or internationally.