ASPIRE 2022 is a 6-month programme funded by UKRI/Research England & Office for Students (https://lnkd.in/dXVJ2PWU), that seeks to enhance the pipeline of Black and Black (mixed) heritage people into doctoral level study. We also seek to work with colleagues in the sector, to better support Black and Black (mixed) heritage scholars doing research at all levels.
ASPIRE is a programme currently running in partnership between Sheffield Hallam University and Manchester Metropolitan University. The programme develops the personal and professional development, work-readiness, employability skills, academic writing, and quantitative and qualitative research skills of ASPIRE scholars.
Over the course of the 6 months, scholars take part in a wide range of exciting & interesting online webinars, workshops, life coaching, student-led study skills conference, talking therapies and other on campus community building activities. Scholars also undertake a paid 30-hour internship, to develop their work-readiness and employability.
Scholars will then apply all their learning and skills developed during the ASPIRE programme to a 6-week research project/live client brief at the end of the programme. During the project, scholars will be supported by two ASPIRE project supervisors, one of whom will be you, their academic supervisor.
ASPIRE is looking for academic supervisors who are interested in learning more on how to better support Black and Black (mixed) heritage scholars during research study. You will have experience in supporting undergraduate and/or postgraduate students through research.
Academic supervisors, will become part of our ASPIRE community. It is a fantastic learning community, in which we share experiences, with compassion and understanding, in order to support each other.
As such, academic supervisors, will undertake workshops and coaching between mid April and June, (on average about 8-10 hours of activity per month). These activities will encourage you to reflect on your practice in supporting Black and Black (mixed) heritage scholars. There is space for intraspection and introspection in engaging in safe but honest & important conversations about what good practice in supporting these scholars needs to be.
ASPIRE academic supervisors will be asked to support up to 3 ASPIRE scholars working on their projects for 6 weeks, between June and July. All academic supervisors will be supported by a Black/Black (mixed) heritage academic mentor who already has an ongoing & established mentor/mentee relationship with the ASPIRE scholar(s) allocated to you, the academic supervisor.
If you are interested in taking part and becoming part of our ASPIRE community, please contact ASPIRE project Institution lead, Dr Francis Awolowo on i.f.awolowo@shu.ac.uk by Thursday 14 April 2022.