SWWDTP Diversity and Inclusion Programme

Programme Overview

The SWWDTP Diversity and Inclusion Programme is funded by the AHRC EDI Grant and co-created by our Diversity and Inclusion Student Advocates and the SWWDTP. The programme is central to SWWDTP’s work in addressing Diversity and Inclusion, as is the collaborative ground-up approach that has been taken in the development of the programme. 

The Diversity and Inclusion Programme is working towards four main goals:  

1. Increase applications from members of communities that are currently under-represented within the SWWDTP student body;
2. Increase the sense of belonging for those from under-represented communities and those who face barriers to access, and mitigate the impact of known issues for these groups, where possible;
3. Support research topics that offer considerable potential to address D&I issues in their own right, to generate evidence for policy, support marginalised groups, or address existing inequalities, and embed further support of EDI principles in all research through EDI related research training;
4. Effect wider change/impact in Diversity and Inclusion in the PGR landscape through the SWWDTP’s influence.

The Diversity and Inclusion Programme has been developed in response to the experiences of those it seeks to support, and by those that it seeks to support.  

Diversity and Inclusion Advocates

Our team of student Diversity & Inclusion Advocates provide feedback on SWWDTP activities, and support and guide recruitment strategies and policies. They advise on how to improve access and provide support for those who identify with one or many marginalised communities. 

The Diversity and Inclusion Advocates have worked with the SWWDTP Hub to develop a programme of activities and support across three priority areas:  

1. Access to PhD Study. 
2. Continuation and Success. 
3. Life after PhD.  

There are currently 13 SWWDTP students who undertake work as Diversity and Inclusion Advocates. This is a paid opportunity, open to SWWDTP students who identify as coming from minoritised groups and/or experience barriers to access within and beyond the SWWDTP postgraduate environment.