The mini-CDT will support a cluster of six PhD students, who will work collaboratively to examine opportunities and barriers for culturally diverse students, academics and professional staff across different disciplines and services to develop their full potential within and outside of the university.

This collaborative doctoral training centre entitled ‘Unequal Academic Citizenship: Opportunities and Barriers to Participation and Inclusion of Cultural Diversity and Intersecting Identities in Higher Education (CITHEI)’ will be jointly led by the School of Social Sciences and Humanities and the School of Science, by Dr Line Nyhagen (Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy), Professor Heike Jons (Geography) and by Dr Pooja Goddard (Chemistry). The mini-CDT leadership team will work with a wider team of co-applicants, drawn from diverse disciplines working within six of Loughborough’s schools, to establish an inclusive doctoral training programme.

The six PhD projects proposed will aim to address three overarching research objectives of key conceptual and political importance:

• To examine individual perceptions and experiences of culturally diverse students and staff that may encourage or hinder their participation, inclusion and belonging in British universities in relation to intersecting axes of sociocultural difference.
• To analyse the institutional-level and broader national, sectoral and neoliberal barriers and opportunities to membership in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and future graduate careers of culturally diverse groups of staff and students. 
• To understand how best-practice policies and strategies can inform, support and promote academic citizenship, understood as the membership, recognition and belonging of students, staff and alumni in British universities.

Professor Elizabeth Peel, Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor (Doctoral College) said: “I am thrilled that we are launching this doctoral training centre focused on improving access and participation in higher education for marginalised groups. I hope CITHEI will catalyse more EDI focused doctoral and post-doctoral research and impact across our campuses, and in the sector more broadly.”

Dr Line Nyhagen stated: “This is a significant expression of Loughborough University's commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. The mini doctoral training centre will ensure that our work in this area is research-informed, innovative and collaborative. We can't wait to get started.”

Recruitment will commence shortly, with the first PhD students expected to start their studies in January 2022.