Cookies Policy
The website need some cookies and similar means to function. If you permit us, we will use those means to collect data on your visits for aggregated statistics to improve our service. Find out More
Accept Reject
  • Menu
Publications

Publications by Belém Barbosa

2017

WHAT MAKES A MOBILITY CHAMPION? QUALITATIVE INSIGHTS ON TEACHERS' MOBILITY EXPERIENCES

Authors
Barbosa, B; Santos, CA; Filipe, S; Pinheiro, MM; Simoes, D; Dias, GP;

Publication
9TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EDUCATION AND NEW LEARNING TECHNOLOGIES (EDULEARN17)

Abstract
Teachers’ mobility is one of the facets of Higher Education Institutions internationalization, and despite its importance in implementing the program's purposes it is still disregarded by researchers, with most mobility studies focusing on students. This research concentrates on highly active mobility teachers and aims to delve into their experiences, namely by identifying facilitators and goals for this repeated internationalization and by analyzing the outcomes of these initiatives in their personal lives, professional activity, home and host students, and for their Universities as a whole. This study adopts a qualitative exploratory approach. Having as sample universe the teachers of one Portuguese University that in a 7-year period (2009-2016) engaged in mobility experiences under the Erasmus program (N = 107), 8 were identified as having the highest number of initiatives and were invited to participate in this study. From these mobility champions, 5 accepted, resulting in 5 phenomenological interviews. Data was collected in January 2017. The participants shared an integrated view of the Erasmus mobility, being essential for its success the additional opportunities of joint research and the strengthening of international relationships and networks. Prior relations with teachers from the host University and ongoing research projects stood out among the facilitators. The opportunity to observe and get to know other cultural settings was also mentioned as one determinant stimulus. Still, the outcomes in terms of teaching methodologies and best practices as well an effective impact in home students seemed residual. Moreover, the ability to encourage other teachers to join the program was very limited, often confined to close colleagues and research partners. Despite its exploratory nature, this study demonstrates the relevance of further research on mobility champions to assess the success and possible pitfalls of repeated mobility experiences in terms of extended institutional outcomes and well as individual gratification of the teachers involved. Based on the results, we suggest the consideration of a wider set of outcomes in the appraisal of mobility initiatives, as well as the widespread of champions’ insights on the topic in order to motivate inexperienced teachers to embrace internationalization. Hopefully this paper is able to inspire not only research but also teaching mobility initiatives.

2017

STUDY AND TRAVEL: STUDENTS' PERCEPTIONS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF TOURISM IN MOBILITY

Authors
Filipe, S; Barbosa, B; Santos, CA; Pinheiro, M; Simoes, D; Dias, GP;

Publication
INTED2017: 11TH INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY, EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE

Abstract
This research aims to explore the importance of tourism activities for student mobility, considering the decision process, the experience of the students while on mobility, and their loyalty to the host region, including their cooperation in promoting local attractions among relatives and friends. We present qualitative results obtained from focus groups with Erasmus students from diverse countries inside and outside Europe, who spent at least one semester in the University of Aveiro, Portugal. The discussions explored students' perceptions, experiences and practices before and during the mobility. Our results include evidence on how traveling opportunities are an inherent part of Erasmus students' mobility. Overall, their tourist activities are shown as strong enhancers of the learning process while on mobility, despite competing with limited resources of time and money. Traveling is also an opportunity to spend time with family and friends, namely with other mobility students at the same host university, fostering integration and a higher degree of satisfaction with the mobility experience. In turn, the extended exposure to a different language and culture transform mobility students into ideal ambassadors of the host country, contributing significantly to the promotion of their mobility destinations.

2021

Between promises and pitfalls: the impact of mobility on the internationalization of higher education

Authors
Dias, GP; Barbosa, B; Santos, CA; Pinheiro, MM; Simoes, D; Filipe, S;

Publication
JOURNAL OF FURTHER AND HIGHER EDUCATION

Abstract
The study presented in this article aims at understanding the relevance of mobility initiatives to the internationalisation efforts of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). By building upon relevant literature, 17 propositions related to this contribution were identified. Empirical evidence from a concrete case of a European university was then used to evaluate those propositions. Data was collected from individual interviews to 19 outgoing faculty and from focus groups with 32 incoming students, resulting in the identification of the promises and pitfalls of mobility. The study concludes that HEIs must define clear strategies and carefully manage their mobility activities to maximise the potential benefits for internationalisation. Based on this main implication, it presents a set of managerial recommendations that may be relevant for those involved in administering or promoting international mobility programmes at universities, governments or international organisations, and for researchers in higher education.

2020

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING VS. GENERAL EDUCATION: THE INFLUENCE OF THE SOCIOECONOMIC CONTEXT ON STUDENTS' CHOICES

Authors
Traqueia, A; Nogueira, S; Barbosa, B; Costa, F; Dias, GP; Filipe, S; Melo, A; Rodrigues, C; Santos, CA;

Publication
14TH INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY, EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE (INTED2020)

Abstract
Despite the growing popularity of Vocational Education and Training (VET), which is mainly oriented towards labour market inclusion, literature shows that there is still stigmatization and association of those programmes with lower quality training offers when compared to the so-called general secondary education. The main aim of this article is to shed light on the differences in students' sociodemographic profiles between the two education alternatives. It adopts a quantitative approach, exploring secondary data collected by national (e.g., Ministry of Education) and international (e.g., OECD) organizations regarding secondary education students in Portugal. Results confirm that students in VET secondary education have a different sociodemographic profile, namely in terms of income, parents' academic qualifications and professional activities, thus presenting a clear lower social status than students in general secondary education. Indeed, VET is more common in Portuguese secondary schools with a student population originating from more disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. This study also highlights the limitations of the available secondary data, suggesting a set of variables and hypotheses built on contributions from extant literature that may enable a better understanding of the reasons behind the differences in students' profiles. Implications for schools and decision makers, as well as suggestions for future research, are also presented.

2020

THE VET SUCCESS PARADOX: BETWEEN EMPLOYABILITY AND CONTINUATION OF STUDIES

Authors
Nogueira, S; Traqueia, A; Barbosa, B; Costa, F; Dias, GP; Filipe, S; Melo, A; Rodrigues, C; Santos, CA;

Publication
14TH INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY, EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE (INTED2020)

Abstract
Despite the existence of Vocational Education and Training (VET) programmes allowing dual certification (general school and vocational diplomas), the main aim of vocational courses is arguably the insertion of young people in the labour market. Still, there is a diversification of pathways for upper secondary vocational students, including continuing studies at a tertiary level. In fact, international statistics point to the increased number of vocational students that choose to pursue studies at a higher level, encouraged, among several motivations, by the quest for social mobility. Despite the relevance of this theme, studies that explore students' pathways after the completion of upper secondary vocational education are still scarce. To fill this gap, the paper synthesizes and reviews literature contributions with the purpose of identifying the factors that explain the adoption of each of the pathways (working, continuing to study or neither) by upper secondary education VET students. As a result, the article discusses a list of factors associated with career choices after completion of VET secondary studies and proposes a set of questions for future research. Overall, this paper shows that VET deserves urgent consideration by researchers and offers valuable insights for academics, students, parents and decision makers alike.

2019

Millennials Views on Luxury Ecotourism: A Qualitative Study with Portuguese Tourists

Authors
Costa, A; Abreu, M; Barbosa, B;

Publication
PROCEEDINGS OF THE INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT (IWTHM2019)

Abstract

  • 5
  • 20