by Maisha Islam
Posted on 14 Nov '24

Breaking Down Barriers in Postgraduate Research: The University of Southampton’s Award Winning PGR Student Partners Scheme

The University of Southampton are deeply committed to fostering a research environment that is inclusive and supportive for all postgraduate research (PGR) students. In 2023, we launched our PGR Student Partners Scheme, a unique initiative designed to address the systemic barriers faced by racially minoritised and under represented students in PGR study. This scheme has already made a significant impact at Southampton and across the sector, and we hope it can serve as an example for other institutions looking to create meaningful change.

Why we developed the PGR Student Partners Scheme

The inspiration for this initiative came from two key gaps that have been identified by the Higher Education (HE) sector and at the university. First, we know that racially minoritised and underrepresented students face challenges with accessing, succeeding in, and progressing from doctoral study. Second, we noted that student engagement activities, such as student-staff partnerships, were often focused on the undergraduate experience, with fewer opportunities for PGR students to engage in similar ways.

Research shows that racially minoritised and underrepresented PGR students encounter a range of barriers, from difficulties accessing PhD programmes to challenges around mental health and a sense of belonging in academia. We recognised that an equity driven, collaborative approach was needed to address these issues and create a more inclusive research culture.

How the scheme works

Our PGR Student Partners Scheme is grounded in equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles. We’ve designed it to not only support underrepresented students but to do so in a way that genuinely values their contributions. Here are some of the key features of the scheme:

Reward and Recognition: We believe that students’ time and expertise should be compensated. Our Student Partners are paid for their contributions (8 hours per week for a minimum period of 3 months), ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent students from participating.
Flexibility: Doctoral students have complex schedules, so we offer flexibility in how Student Partners can work. While we encourage students to spend their working day on campus with us, they have the option to work remotely and distribute their hours to accommodate their research or other responsibilities.
Values of Partnership: The scheme emphasises genuine collaboration. Our Student Partners work alongside staff as equals, contributing to projects that align with their interests. This approach ensures that students are not just passive participants but active drivers of change.
Community and Belonging: We understand the importance of creating a supportive community. From the start, we induct our Student Partners together, giving them opportunities to share their expectations and build connections with one another. This fosters a sense of belonging, which is crucial for all students.

Overcoming challenges

While implementing the scheme, we faced challenges related to funding, as is common in the HE sector. However, we have worked collaboratively with departments across the university to secure ongoing support for the initiative. By making a strong case for the scheme’s value, we’ve been able to protect its longevity and ensure that future cohorts of Student Partners can benefit.

The impact so far

Since its launch in June 2023, the PGR Student Partners Scheme has had a profound impact, both within the university and more broadly. Some of the key achievements include:

Enhancing Research Culture: Our Student Partners have conducted research into how PGR students perceive their research culture, providing insights that have informed the Doctoral College’s and Student Union’s actions and strategic planning.
Addressing Racial Inequalities: We’ve co-authored a report exploring the experiences of Black and Asian PGR students, which has fed directly into our efforts to increase diversity within our doctoral cohorts.
Supporting under-represented students into PGR: By working closely with our Student Partners, we’ve developed resources to support under-represented students. This includes a workshop series on ‘Demystifying the PhD,’ a peer mentoring scheme, and tailored roadmaps for entering doctoral study.
Awards and Recognition: We were honoured to receive the FindAUniversity Postgrad Award for “Best Postgraduate Campaign or Project in 2024”, in recognition of the scheme’s impact. Our work has also been acknowledged internally, with myself winning the University’s Vice Chancellor Award for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion, in part for leading the scheme.

Reflections from our student partners

Here’s what some of our PGR Student Partners had to say about their experiences:

Fabien Littel: “What felt unique to the PGR Student Partners Scheme was how it combined paid opportunities with genuine empowerment. Our contributions weren’t just token gestures but were shaped by our own positionality, enriching the collective work.”

Lilian Odaro: “Connecting with other under-represented PGR students allowed me to see myself in their experiences and better understand how our journeys are unique. It’s made me more conscious of my own biases and more aware of where I can grow.”

Nandini Das: “The peer learning and support within the scheme created a nourishing, safe professional environment where I could develop my skills without any pressure or judgment. It’s been a transformative experience.”

Lessons learned and recommendations for other universities

From our experience developing and running the PGR Student Partners Scheme, we’ve learned several lessons that could be valuable for other universities:

Co-Creation is Key: Engaging PGR students as co-creators, not just participants, ensures that their voices are truly heard and valued.
Budget for Equity: Even with limited resources, it’s important to compensate students for their contributions. This could be through vouchers or other forms of remuneration.
Foster Collaboration: Encourage staff and students to work in groups on equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives, so no one feels the burden of solving complex issues alone.
Adopt Critical Frameworks: When designing initiatives, use social justice and equity theories to inform your approach and ensure meaningful impact.

Advice for universities with limited resources

For institutions with fewer resources, it’s still possible to make a difference. Engaging students in focus groups or feedback sessions, offering vouchers or refreshments as a token of appreciation, or gathering input through existing student forums are all ways to gain valuable insights without significant financial investment. You can also put forward the case for cross-university collaboration by working with other Faculties, departments or the Student Union who may have vested interest in this area too.

Looking to the future

Our long term vision is to make the PGR Student Partners Scheme a permanent part of the doctoral experience at the University of Southampton. With each recruitment round, we’re seeing growing interest and engagement from students, and we are committed to ensuring that their voices continue to shape our university’s research culture and broader EDI efforts.

Collaboration and broader sector change

The success of the scheme has been built on collaboration between departments, faculty and students. We believe that this model can be adapted by other universities, contributing to wider systemic change in higher education. As funders become increasingly interested in student engagement and co-creation, initiatives like ours can also help institutions secure external funding for similar projects.

We hope that by sharing our experiences, other universities will be inspired to take bold steps in supporting racially minoritised and under-represented students in postgraduate research. Together, we can break down barriers and create a more equitable future for all.

If you’d like to learn more about the PGR Student Partners Scheme or discuss how to implement similar initiatives at your institution, feel free to reach out directly to me by emailing M.Islam@soton.ac.uk.

We’re excited to announce that we’ll be hosting a webinar with Dr. Maisha Islam in March 2025, where she will share more insights about the PGR Student Partners Scheme and discuss strategies for supporting underrepresented students in postgraduate research. Stay tuned for further details!

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