Mind the Gap - The Academic Experience of Black Students in Higher Education – Improving Awards and Opportunity - RS-20-13

PhD (via MPhil) Studentship - Mind the Gap - The Academic Experience of Black Students in Higher Education – Improving Awards and Opportunity
This studentship will be located in the School of Social Work, Care and Community

Reference Number: RS/20/13

Applications are invited for a PhD (via MPhil) studentship that will focus on the experiences of Black students in higher education and factors that may contribute to the award gap in degree outcomes between Black and White students. The studentship is tenable for up to 3 years full time ( subject to satisfactory progress). Both Home/EU and International applicants may apply and studentship fees of £4440 will be covered and an annual stipend of £15,235 per year (up to 3 years)

It is expected that the successful applicant will commence on 1st February 2021.

Project Title:

Mind the Gap - The Academic Experience of Black Students in Higher Education – Improving Awards and Opportunity

This studentship will focus on the experiences of Black students in higher education, including UCLan and the factors that may contribute to the Award gap in degree outcomes between Black and White students. Although, Black students are heterogenous in culture, heritage and ethnicity, research suggests that the single commonality they experience is that of (indirect) discrimination in higher education. The study will seek to understand some of the key challenges Black students experience in higher education including, teaching and learning that is relevant to them, participation in university activities, leadership that understands and represents their experience and the degree that is awarded. It is expected that the study will lead to new knowledge to inform a model of practice for UCLan and the wider HE sector that will positively influence the Black/White attainment gap.

UCLan is committed to becoming a sector leader in closing this award gap and developing models of good practice that challenge institutional barriers which contribute to this disparity in Black/ white student degree outcome. This studentship is one such strategy that UCLan is establishing to significantly improve the student experience, degree awards and graduate outcomes for Black students.

Further information

Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to contact Dr John Wainwright [Email Address Removed] and/or Dr Roxanne Khan [Email Address Removed] to discuss this opportunity and the project before applying.

For the application form and full details go to: http://www.uclan.ac.uk/research/study/studentships.php .

Completed application forms along with a detailed proposal of no more than 1200 words, outlining the focus of your study, proposed methodology and expected outcomes should be returned to the Research Student Registry email [Email Address Removed] quoting the studentship reference number RS/20/13.

Closing Date: 30th November 2020
Proposed Interview Date: w/c 14th December 2020

CURRENT UCLAN RESEARCH STUDENTS WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR THIS RESEARCH STUDENTSHIP