Breaking Barriers to Black Academia

Launch

The Breaking Barriers to Black Academia project has launched a programme designed to support the training and development of scientists from Black backgrounds.

Community, networking, learning and mentorship are built into the heart of this programme that aims to enable early, mid and advanced career scholars of Black or Black heritage to develop their research portfolio, grant success and thrive in STEM.

Why do this?

Co-funded by the University of Bristol alongside the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC),the “Breaking the Barriers to Black Academia” project aims to advance evidence-based initiatives and policies to overcome ongoing racial injustices in national funding award practices.

When does it take place?

It has already begun. We started with a national survey that aimed to reach Black and Black heritage scholars in STEM/MINT and explore their experiences when accessing and being awarded research funding {September: Breaking Barriers survey | News and features | University of Bristol}.

We are now accepting our first cohort and the programme is open exclusively to early, mid and advanced career scholars of Black and Black heritage at an institution in the Southwest region; but if places remain available offers will be extended to those more broadly across the UK.

Who is the programme for?

Early, mid to advanced career scholars in STEM who self-identify as Black or Black heritage.

How does it work?

Your own ideas and passions are where we begin.

The programme entails a series of in-person workshops with additional online content. Breaking Barriers to Black Academia will work closely with institutions to support, share learnings and build networks.

Participants are invited to register their interest and outline what area(s) of research you are interested in, to match you with a mentor and dedicated professional support.

Our team will help you to design a bespoke research experience and to find the right mentor and support for you. Please note mentoring is not subject or institution specific.

Each participant will be encouraged to opt-in to be assigned a mentor. Mentors will serve as a guide, taking participants through issues and giving participants confidence in their own abilities.

Please tell us if you would like an informal discussion (a 30 minutes call) on the next steps of the process. Contact Dr. Natalie Cozier (natalie.cozier@bristol.ac.uk) or Professor Steve Eichhorn (s.j.eichhorn@bristol.ac.uk).

Please tell us if you would like an informal discussion (a 30 minute call) on the next steps of the process.

Start date

This year’s cohort joined the first workshop 24 November 2023 in Bristol.

There is flexibility with participation across the programme, but participants should be able to attend the in-person workshops, virtual webinars, and masterclasses.

There are 50 spaces available. Please register for our FREE programme.

CLICK TO REGISTER HERE

REGISTRATION CLOSES SOON.

We have received a high volume of requests from potential participants, which has resulted in a waitlist for our programme.

To ensure fairness and transparency, we have implemented a first-come-first-served policy for our waitlist. This means that the earlier you registered and joined the waitlist, the higher priority you will have once we are able to accommodate new participants.

Programme activities and resources for participants

Activity: ‘Making Connections’

Date: 24 November 2023 - In person - Launch Event and Workshops - in Bristol

Details: An unforgettable day filled with insightful talks from notable scholars and leaders in STEM, workshops, community, networking, and growth!

Click HERE to view a Blog Post on LinkedIn about this unique event from Dr Natalie Cozier of the Breaking Barriers to Black Academia team.

Activity: ‘Knowledge-sharing: Where are the funding opportunities?’ – Online Session

Date: 5 December 2023

Details: A practical webinar and masterclass. Click below to view resources from this session:

Recording: 📷 GMT20231205-140528_Recording_1920x1080.mp4

FINDING FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

https://uob.sharepoint.com/:v:/t/grp-researchdevelopment-drei/EUxGDGxOVo1BujpsmlfHD4UB0z6HCO_nVlhk_CrU8MjArQ?e=LI33cn

Activity: ‘Skills-building : Presenting your research idea’ – Online Session

Date: 24 January 2024

Details: A practical webinar and masterclass. Click below to view resources from this session:

Recording: 📷 BB Session 2 Presenting your research idea.mp4

BASIC COMPONENTS OF A GRANT PROPOSAL

https://uob.sharepoint.com/:v:/t/grp-researchdevelopment-drei/EUxGDGxOVo1BujpsmlfHD4UB0z6HCO_nVlhk_CrU8MjArQ?e=LI33cn

Activity: ‘Ideation Sandpit : Presenting your research idea and finding collaborators’ In person – Event and Workshops – Bristol

Date: 29 February 2024

Details: An unforgettable day filled with insightful talks, workshops, community, networking, and growth!

Activity: ‘Partnerships & Peer Review - What funders are looking for?’ - online

Date: 18 April 2024

Details: Upcoming

Activity: ‘Impact Planning & Cultivation’ – Online

Date: 16 May 2024

Details: Upcoming

Activity: ‘High Quality Research – Getting Your Proposal Ready for Submission ’ – in person Date: 23 May 2024

Details: Upcoming

Activity: ‘Mentoring & Support to Proposals’

Date: June 2024 - May 2025

Details: Upcoming

Join the Breaking Barriers to Black Academia Community and Network’:

Please join us in strengthening our networks and active engagements: (Join our social network groups to keep in touch!)

Are you planning to apply for funding and would like to collaborate with others in the network? Please connect via these social network groups.

Join our LinkedIn group: https://lnkd.in/efSFt935
Join our WhatsApp group: WhatsApp Group Invite

Please feel free to invite and share these details with other eligible scholars in your School / Department or beyond to enhance the event and programme reach.