Constraints, Initiatives, and Enablers in Doctoral Applications and Selection: DTPs/DLAs and CDTs/DFAs
This document was created by YCEDE and outlines the constraints and enablers to improving equity in doctoral admissions, as well as suggesting potential initiatives to address these challenges. There is a separate document available for Schools & Departments.
Suggested Audience: Staff
Suggested Sub-Audience: PGR Recruitment & Selection
This resource is intended for use in improving equity and outcomes for ethnically minoritised individuals interested in doctoral study or careers in research. This resource was produced by the staff named above on behalf of the YCEDE project. Please ensure appropriate credits are clearly included in any external use of this resource.
Constraints, initiatives and enablers in doctoral applications and selection – Briefing note for DTPs/DLAs and CDTs/DFAs
This brief note outlines the constraints faced by underrepresented minoritised British applicants at the doctoral level as evidenced in the literature. Some potential actions and initiatives to address the constraints are drawn from findings of research with academic and professional staff at institutions, Doctoral Training Partnerships, and Centres for Doctoral Training involved in YCEDE.
To enable these actions and initiatives, the findings suggest:
- senior level DTP/ CDT and institutional leadership and commitment to E&D;
- opportunities for collective deliberation and reflection;
- strong legal basis for change (positive action rather than positive discrimination);
- generating and learning from own processes, evidence and data (e.g., as a basis for positive action)
- embedding E&D across all stages of the application process; and
- learning from other schemes, diverse staff and minoritised applicants / students.
Cite this resource
Wakeling, P. & Oyinloye, B. (2024) Yorkshire Consortium for Equity in Doctoral Education [online] available at: Constraints, Initiatives, and Enablers in Doctoral Applications and Selection: Briefing note for CDTs, DTPs, DLAs, and DFAs — Yorkshire Consortium for Equity in Doctoral Education
This is a resource produced by a Research-England-funded EDI project. UKCGE has not been involved in the production of the content and the materials themselves have been uploaded with the permission of Research England and the project leaders. Every effort has been made to trace copyright holders; if we have made omissions or you feel certain materials should not be included here, please get in touch via ukcge@ukcge.ac.uk.