The Diversity Impact Programme aims to inspire change in university engineering departments so that all students succeed and the unique perspectives and experiences of engineers from diverse backgrounds continue to enhance the profession.
We provide grant funding of up to £100,000 for new projects in university engineering departments that address the unequal outcomes experienced by students from underrepresented groups. You define the need and the solution, we provide funding and a context to share and learn throughout the grant period. Projects can run from 12 to 18 months and grant recipients will join a community of practice to facilitate learning across the cohort of grantees and the wider engineering higher education institution sector.
Funding will be awarded to applicants are committed to transformative change, who have a track record of co-creation and co-delivery of projects, who can commit to a community of practice, and who want to develop effective solutions that can transform higher education and career transition outcomes for people from underrepresented groups.
Overview of the Diversity Impact Programme Award Holders
The aim is to enable universities to address factors impeding EDI in engineering and awarded projects focused on improving the experiences and outcomes of university engineering students
Awardees
University of Central Lancashire
De Montfort University
University of East London
Imperial College London
King's College London
Loughborough University
Newcastle University
University of Plymouth
University of Sheffield
University of Strathclyde
Swansea University
Target groups
- Women
- Disability
- Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic
- Socio-economic background
- Diversity in general
Interventions
- Mentoring and tutoring
- Placements and micro-internships
- Events and trips
- Masterclasses/guest lecturers
- School outreach
- Residential
- Inclusive engineering hub
- Careers drop-in services and events
- Staff training
- Research
Impacts
For students (according to some of the award holders involved):
- Increased sense of belonging
- Better understanding of career options
- Higher likelihood of securing internships and employment
For award holders (according to some of the award holders involved):
- Opportunity to implement new initiatives
- Increased profile for EDI initiatives within engineering departments
- Increased access for university staff to EDI-related training
- Greater collaboration within engineering faculties
- Improved outreach with both schools and employers
