Project title: EMBEDD – Engaging Minoritised Beneficiaries in Engineering Diversity Development
Funding awarded: £97,334.00
Summary:
EMBEDD is aimed at students and high school pupils from low socioeconomic backgrounds, recognising the intersectional issues impacting women, those from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds, and those with disabilities. Individuals from these backgrounds, especially at the intersection, are underrepresented both in pursuing engineering qualifications and in the engineering sector more widely.
This project will aim to address and encourage those from underrepresented backgrounds to study a STEM subject, while also bringing inspiration to those who may not have considered or believed they have the option to study a STEM subject and thrive.
What need does the project address?
A Young People in Scotland Survey in 2017 found that young people from the most underserved areas were less likely to study a STEM subject. This project will work in two strands; the first aims to enhance and improve outcomes and career prospects for engineering students from underrepresented backgrounds. The second aim is to empower students from these backgrounds to inspire children from similar backgrounds to enter higher education.
What will the students experience?
Students will participate in workshops and mentoring delivered by both Equate-Scotland and AFBE-Scotland (the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers, Scotland). These will aim to empower them to co-develop and deliver a two-week programme to local high school pupils from minoritised and underrepresented groups.
Through a series of workshops and toolkits, both students and staff will also learn and focus on embedding inclusion into the engineering criteria.
What are the expected outcomes?
- Improve students’ confidence in engineering, communication, teamwork, and leadership.
- Foster a sense of belonging and provide mentoring for engineering students from minoritised and underrepresented groups.
- Raise the aspirations of school pupils as they hear from engineering students - as inspiring role models.
- Embed an awareness of the benefits of inclusivity within the School of Science and Engineering, at the University of Dundee.