Widening Participation & Further Funding

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is at the heart of FUSE activities, embedded within its leadership of future ultrasonic engineering research. We believe EDI adds value to FUSE and contributes to the well-being, engagement and productivity of our students, academics, and external partners.

The link between diversity and research productivity is well established, as are the benefits of team working. FUSE is already well positioned in this by its multidisciplinary nature and its diverse applications base; we want to benefit from all available talent.

Athena SWAN

Glasgow, Strathclyde and our external partners are fully committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. A Bronze Athena SWAN awards is held by both the School of Engineering in the University of Glasgow, and the Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering in the University of Strathclyde, and are working towards Silver.

The Athena SWAN Charter was established in 2005 as both a means to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in higher education and research in the fields of science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM). The Charter was expanded in 2015 to include the disciplines of arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law, as well professional and support roles and trans staff and students. Now the Charter recognises more broadly work done to address gender equality and not just progression barriers to women.

Unconscious bias

All staff involved in recruitment and supervision have completed the Universities’ suites of Equality and Diversity training. Unconscious bias observers are used in all recruitment processes, including interviews.

Recruitment

Our Structured Interview Process Interviews are 1-day events of pre-determined structure removing physical barriers for people with all types of disability. The process has a group structure with team activities with other candidates and an interview panel reflecting our EDI aims.

Undergraduate internships

Funded summer internships are available every year with the aim of widening participation and raising awareness of ultrasonic engineering. The internships provide an opportunity to work on a short-term project with academics and postdocs to gain experience in ultrasonics engineering in the lab.

The 5-week full-time programme is suitable for penultimate year undergraduate students, but is also open to those thinking of returning to research after a break from study. Under-represented groups are strongly encouraged to apply, and flexible working options may be available, please contact us at fuse-cdt@glasgow.ac.uk with any questions.

Talent scholarship scheme

In line with FUSE CDT’s equal opportunity ethos, we are offering Talent scholarships for applicants from widening participation backgrounds. The award consists of £2k p.a. for four years support on top of the stipend. The awards are intended to enable those who fit the admissions criteria but otherwise would not be able to embark upon the programme.

Applications will be reviewed on a case by case basis, with the following, or similar, criteria considered:

  • are care experienced
  • are a carer (provide unpaid care)
  • are seeking asylum in the UK
  • have refugee status

Flexible working

To attract, retain and support students who are carers, we operate an individually-managed flexible working policy. This will mean that students can plan a working pattern tailored to their particular responsibilities.

Childcare costs for conference attendance

Funding is available to cover childcare costs. This will help FUSE students who are returning from parental leave and have childcare gaps to attend conferences.

Part-time studentships

These are prioritised for those with caring responsibilities (women returners, single parents), geographically remote students, those with a diagnosed disability, and, with our external partners, employees they have identified via their EDI initiatives.

External partners

Our external partners have motivation and ambitions in EDI which mirror our own to address the long-standing issues associated with the under-representation of minority groups based on gender; black, Asian, and minority ethnicity; and social deprivation. Our partners recognise the moral imperative as well as the opportunities for competitive advantage offered by introducing real measures to tackle EDI issues, and also the challenges in delivering meaningful change.

Culture

We promote a healthy working environment and support our students to establish a healthy work-life balance. Students are encouraged to take regular breaks from their research and to include in their plans an annual holiday. During the research phase in Years 2 – 4 PGR students at the University of Strathclyde have 28 days of annual leave per year, and at the University of Glasgow they have up to eight week’s per year.

FUSE CDT supports social activities for its cohorts and has recently sponsored monthly pizza nights and a wellbeing challenge encouraging staff and students to compete in virtual runs, walks or bike rides. This year we are also hosting student-led networking events with ultrasonics postdocs at CUE and C-MIU to foster mentorship and informal professional development.