Innovative and Collaborative Grants
In 2009, we opened to tender our Innovative and Collaborative Grants Scheme. The UKRC was pleased to receive 33 bids for funding requesting a total of almost £300,000. Many excellent projects, were considered with ideas ranging from supporting women in further education to joint networking events between the universities and local construction networks.
The ICGS project grants were awarded to:
Women in Physics Group (£10,000)
Project name: The IoP and RSC Survey of PDRs’ Experiences and Career Intentions
Activity: The IoP Women in Physics Group work with the Royal Society of Chemistry to carry out a mass survey of post doctoral physicists, which was analysed to support future policy decisions.
Girl Geeks Scotland in Collaboration with Leeds Girl Geek Dinners (£10,000)
Project name: Girl Geeks Invite Series
Activity: The Girl Geeks worked with the West Yorkshire Life Long Learning Network and other women in SET bodies to develop a series of events across the country around creativity, computing and entrepreneurship – all of which have been identified as crucial to the UK’s recovery from recession. Speakers will be recorded to form a digital archive of high profile female speakers to share. Other partners include NTI Leeds, Codeworks, Informatic Ventures, Interconnect, Harvey Nash, WEA Scotland and the School of Informatics, Edinburgh University.
Females in Engineering, Science and Technology (£9,500)
Project name: Women, Climate Change – Learning Transformation
Activity: This project will brought together leading experts in energy research and climate change. It will use the latest technology to lead to a proposed research agenda on gender and sustainable energy, develop career profiles, and strengthen networks for women in SET. This project was delivered in partnership with the UK Energy Research Centre, Environmental Change Institute.
The WiSE Campaign (£9,985)
Project name: Embedding Awareness of Gender Issues in STEM ITT- a pilot
Activity: The new project aimed to place cultural change into both training establishments and placement schools so that gender awareness within STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) is mainstreamed. The aim was to create a new module for student teachers which focusing on the importance of gender awareness and tackling stereotypes around careers. Partners include Queens University Belfast, the Institute of Physics and WiSE Northern Ireland Committee.
Women in Maths Committee (£8045)
Project name: Developing the next generation of Women Leaders in Mathematical Sciences
Activity: The project developed networking and research opportunities in the field, showcasing women’s achievements in mathematical science, as well as developing role models for early career women in the sector. This project was delivered in partnership with the Isaac Newton Institute.
LeicestHERday Trust (£9,890)
Project name: GreenSTEM (Click here for GreenSTEM website)
Activity: Established a support network in Leicestershire for unemployed SET graduates, focussing on attracting members of BME and disabled groups. The project aimed to help graduates who had failed to find work to develop ideas which were tested through the existing Go Green programme. Partners included the British Science Association.
Swansea Women's Network (£4,4000)Project name: Crossing Boundaries – Inspiration Meets Aspiration
Activity: The project worked to create links between senior university members and SET women at a variety of career stages, widen diversity and draw on partnerships and experience from other groups across Wales to create two-way learning and exchange of knowledge. Partners include Women in Leadership: Leadership Observatory Wales (Willow), Women in Universities Mentoring Scheme (WUMS), Swansea University Research Forum(SURF) and IT Wales.
Jaguar Land Rover Women in IT Group (£9.882)
Project name: Women in IT network event
Activity: Jaguar Land Rover worked with partners IBM and Tata Technologies to deliver a conference in the West Midlands with topics including behaviours in the workplace as well as the values and challenges of diversity in work. The conference allowed 40 final year university students the opportunity to access similar workshops, supported by sharing experiences of women in Jaguar Land Rover, IBM and Tata Technologies.
Science Oxford (£9,881)
Project name: Science Oxford Networks for Women
Activity: The project supported the development and progress of women in SET businesses. Peer mentoring circles were delivered in an open, relaxed and supportive environment. The aim was to build a portfolio of women who can be used as role models and case studies for future initiatives. Partners included South East England Development Agency (SEEDA)
Construction Youth Trust (£4,570)
Project name: Pink Ladies
Activity: Local employers were engaged to explore potential work opportunities for women, with an aim of placing 10 women in jobs in the course of 12 months. This project was delivered with Newport Construction Initiative and Tools 4Ur Future.
