Alina Rzepnikowska Phillips

Dr Alina Rzepnikowska Phillips is a Senior Lecturer in Sociology and Politics at the University of Suffolk, where she serves as Course Leader for the BA (Hons) Sociology. Her research focuses on ethnicity, migration, gender, conviviality, racism, and xenophobia, with a particular emphasis on migrant experiences in multicultural cities.

• Education: BA (Hons) in Race and Ethnic Studies with Spanish (University of Central Lancashire), AHRC-funded MA in European Languages and Cultures (University of Manchester), PGCE (Manchester Metropolitan University), AHRC-funded PhD (University of Manchester, 2016)

Her research explores racialized political discourses surrounding migration, particularly at the Polish-Belarussian border and in the context of Brexit. She has published in journals like Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies and Gender, Place & Culture, and authored the book Convivial Cultures in Multicultural Cities.

She has received grants including the School of Social Sciences Research Grants and Impact Fund (£2000, 2018/19) and collaborative innovation grants for community engagement projects. She actively supervises undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD students.

• Scientific Award: Outstanding Contribution Staff Award (University of Suffolk Students’ Union, 2024)

Alina is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and co-organizes the Racial Justice, Equity and Power conference at the University of Suffolk. She also contributes to international academic dialogue through her membership in the IMISCOE Standing Committee on Race, Racism and Discrimination (RACED).