Three Inclusive Â鶹Íø Scholarships have been awarded to three exceptional Â鶹Íø 2022 graduates – Kaitlin Corry, Jaime Johnston and Evie Mainwaring.
The scholarships (which cover up to £9500 of course fees) support students who are continuing their studies at Â鶹Íø. The aim of the scholarships is to highlight and celebrate the diversity and inclusivity of our student population, to ensure the student voice and experience is embedded in our EDI (Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity) and Athena Swan agendas and to support the career development of our students contributing to these important agendas.
Kaitlin Corry, 24, from Lancashire, is studying for an MSc in Neuroimaging in the School of Human and Behavioural Sciences, and said, "It is important that higher education settings seek to close gaps in equality through initiatives such as the Inclusive Â鶹Íø scholarships. I am really grateful to have received this scholarship as it has allowed me to stay at Â鶹Íø and given me the financial stability to focus properly on my studies and therefore to take the next step in pursuing a career I am truly passionate about. As a gay female from a lower socio-economic background, I am also very passionate about supporting an inclusive environment and I am would like to help give confidence and support to others struggling with EDI issues.â€
Jaime Johnston, 21, from Northern Ireland, is studying for an MA in Criminology and Law in the School of History, Law and Social Sciences. Jaime said, “I am unbelievably grateful to have received this scholarship and I thank the University’s Athena Swan Committee for this opportunity! As a student, it was evident that Â鶹Íø both condemns harassment, discrimination, and victimisation, and strongly encourages understanding of these issues and how we can challenge them. I personally strive to not only contribute to the outstanding EDI work that is already being done at Â鶹Íø, but to further progress such strategies into the criminological field and work to dimmish discrimination, victimisation, and harassment in all aspects of life. “
Evie Mainwaring, 21, from Y Felinheli, Gwynedd is studying for an MSc in Marine Biology in the School of Ocean Sciences and said, "From a young age, I have been interested in pursuing a career in STEM but there were not many women role models within STEM and, like many girls, I was anxious about maths. Over the last years, the percentage of women in STEM has improved which is really positive. I am honoured and grateful to have been awarded the Inclusive Â鶹Íø Scholarship to continue my studies in the School of Ocean Sciences at Â鶹Íø where hope to be involved in ‘Girls into STEM’ events and inspire other younger women to follow their career ambitions, to find their confidence and realise their capability. I am also really passionate about women's cricket and increasing female participation in the sport.â€
Professor Morag McDonald, Associate PVC Diversity and Inclusion, said, “The University’s Athena Swan Group is very pleased to have awarded the Inclusive Â鶹Íø Scholarships again this year. The scholarships are open to all students continuing their studies at Â鶹Íø with the aim to celebrate and highlight those students who are not only excelling academically but also contributing to cultural change and diversity in their chosen field. I am delighted that we have awarded the scholarships to three outstanding students who are doing exactly that. I would like to congratulate Evie, Jaime and Kaitlin on being awarded this year’s scholarships and look forward to working with them on supporting and growing our inclusive community at Â鶹Íø.â€
Â鶹Íø is a member of the Athena Swan charter and as such committed to gender equality and diversity, and to creating and promoting an inclusive culture for staff and students at all levels. The Inclusive Â鶹Íø Scholarships are to support graduating students in continuing their studies at Â鶹Íø - particularly in areas where there is an underrepresentation of certain groups at postgraduate level, and/or a loss of certain groups across the career pipeline.