Hello!  

We are Dr Iwi Ugiagbe-Green (Manchester Metropolitan University) and Dr Francis Awolowo (Sheffield Hallam University). 

We are leading the ASPIRE programme, an Office for Students funded programme which aims to get more Black and Black (mixed) heritage students into careers in research. The project focuses specifically on students with one parent who is of African/Caribbean descent.

It is open to students from these groups (Level 5 and above) and alumni from any subject discipline at Manchester Metropolitan University and Sheffield Hallam. You can take part if you are studying, employed, unemployed, volunteering and/or taking a career break.

Successful candidates will access a full package of support and opportunities worth more than £10,000. ASPIRE is a 6-month programme consisting of

Students will develop an e-portfolio of evidence that can be used to create their own personalised website to showcase their developing skills and achievements to potential employers and/or Universities offering PhD places.

At the heart of everything we do on the ASPIRE programme is compassionate pedagogy. This essentially means our teaching practices are compassionate and focus on you, as a unique individual, and your unique experiences and needs. Talking about your racialised experiences is front and centre of conversations within our ASPIRE community, facilitated by our “Talk about race forums.”. There are lots of safe spaces with expert coaches to facilitate exploration.

Students will take part in a cookery club, online journal club (a bit like a reading club) and contribute to the ASPIRE playlist and project digital story. There are lots of online network events with professional bodies, employers, and postgraduate award funding agencies. These opportunities will enable you, to expand your networks and professional contacts, to open access to doctoral level study and/or employment opportunities.