资源环境科技发展态势分析平台

22/10/2020

Research England and the Office for Students (OfS) have today, Thursday 22 October, launched a funding competition to improve access to and participation in postgraduate research study (PGR) for Black, Asian and minority ethnic students.

Barriers and equality gaps

These students are underrepresented in postgraduate research study – and new data published today by the OfS shows there has been little change in recent years.

Participation by Black, Asian and minority ethnic students in PGR study at high-tariff universities (see ref 1) and colleges (where most PGR study takes place) remains low; 17.1% of PGR students in 2017-18 were from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, which is a rise of just 1.4% compared to participation levels in 2010-11.

Evidence suggests that a number of barriers and equality gaps at undergraduate level continue to negatively impact Black, Asian and minority ethnic students’ progression to PGR study.

Science Minister Amanda Solloway said:

“I passionately believe in driving forward diversity across the UK’s research industry, ensuring that our most talented researchers, regardless of their background or ethnicity, have the same opportunity, access and resources to develop their ideas.

“By helping to widen participation for Black, Asian and minority ethnic researchers in postgraduate study, today’s funding call will be vital in unlocking the potential of our best and brightest across all parts of society. I cannot wait to see the creative proposals put forward.”

Read the full story on the Research England website at: https://re.ukri.org/news-opinions-events/news/new-fund-to-improve-postgraduate-research-participation-and-access.