Silvia Behrens is a Research Associate at the School of Social & Political Science. Alongside Project Lead Professor Morag Treanor, Silvia contributes to a project that explores context, factors and approaches to educational exclusions and absences. The project is part of the 'Children's lives and outcomes' research strand at the ESRC-funded Scottish Centre for Administrative Data Research (SCADR).

Prior to joining University of Glasgow, Silvia completed her PhD in Social Policy at the University of Strathclyde investigating young people’s activism in the UK and held a postdoctoral role at the WiSE Centre for Economic Justice at Glasgow Caledonian University. With a background in Political Science (B.A.) and Cultural Studies (M.A.), she is interested in young people's political participation including migrant populations, the relationship between educational achievements and inequalities, as well as public policy and international relations. Her professional experiences in policy and policy research include internships with the International Development Committee at House of Commons and the Directorate for External Affairs at the Scottish Government.

Silvia is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA) and has taught on undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at the University of Strathclyde and Glasgow Caledonian University.

• educational exclusions and absences in Scotland
• youth activism, political participation and agency
• migration, social inclusion and citizenship
• caregiving and gendered expectations around care

Research groups

• Social & Urban Policy

Prior publications

• University of Strathclyde Student Excellence Award (2019-2023), PhD fees and stipend

Silvia is a member of the Political Studies Association, the British Sociological Association and the European Consortium for Political Research. She is also mentoring PhD students at the Scottish Graduate School of Social Science.