Project title: Socio-economic equality and career prospects
Project summary:
The EMBEDD (Engaging Minoritised Beneficiaries in Engineering Diversity Development) project aimed to improve outcomes and career prospects for engineering students from low socio-economic backgrounds, with a focus on women, Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) groups, and students with disabilities. The project also sought to empower these students to inspire local high-school pupils from similar backgrounds to pursue higher education. This project was delivered through a partnership between the university, Equate-Scotland and AFBE-Scotland.
Two main project strands
Inspiring High-School Pupils: The Engineering Experience Programme (EEP) was co-developed and delivered by students from minoritised backgrounds, who were trained and mentored through a Student Training Programme (STP) while paid the living wage. The STP increased student confidence and transferrable skills while engaging local high-school pupils from minoritised backgrounds while encouraging them into engineering.
Embedding an Inclusive Culture: This strand focused on creating a more inclusive environment in the School of Science and Engineering and within engineering curricula. Workshops and toolkits for staff and students were co-created with students and partner organisations, Equate-Scotland and AFBE-Scotland, to promote inclusion within the engineering department.
2EMBEDD is a detailed, interactive guide for replicating the Engineering Experience Programme (EEP) from Strand 1 of the original DIP. This guide will enable other universities to implement similar programs.
Building on our two years of experience running a Student Training Programme (STP) for minoritised and underrepresented engineering students, we have refined the EEP by engaging in open dialogue with students, staff, and partners such as AFBE-Scotland and Equate-Scotland. This collaboration has allowed us to improve the programme and develop materials to help others replicate it.
Strengthening ties in low socio-economic areas
For universities, this project strengthens ties with local schools, particularly those serving low socio-economic populations, opening the door for further collaborative initiatives. Engaging local communities can also lead to support from industry partners, as seen with employers offering student placements and career days.
Scaling the EMBEDD project’s EEP has the potential to transform engineering education by promoting diversity, enhancing student outcomes, fostering community connections, and building inclusive cultures. The program's collaborative approach encourages institutions to work together, sharing resources and strategies to create a more equitable landscape for future engineers.
The full report can be found and read here on the Dundee website.