Call for Applications Diversity Champion 2023

This new and exciting funded residency is a collaboration between Birmingham City University School of Jewellery and De Beers Group.

The Diversity Champion roles aim to accelerate the understanding of underlying barriers / reasons for under-representation from some backgrounds at the School of Jewellery and so why there is a lack of diverse students applying for jewellery related courses and to develop interventions / initiatives / events to raise the awareness of jewellery as a potential career choice within the secondary school setting, particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas of Birmingham.

Residency 1:

1st August 2023 – 31st July 2024

Residency 2:

29th April 2024 – 30th April 2025

The Diversity Champions will undertake a variety of activities within the jewellery field to research and explore the current situation, raise awareness of the opportunities available, report on findings and create strategies to initiatives, events, and interventions.

The opportunity will be a learning experience for the role holder, providing a wide range of benefits to upskill during your 12-month tenure. You will complete mandatory ethics training as well as other staff and student training opportunities, taking part in, and attending staff and student conferences, symposiums and teaching and learning events.

The two successful candidates will be expected to work 4 days per month as Diversity Champion, on activities and findings, training dates and opportunities. They will be supported and mentored by an academic member of staff within the School of Jewellery. Meetings discussing progress, requirements of the role, introductions to networks across the institution, as well as the development of their own future practice will aid knowledge exchanges.

The Institution shall provide the Postholders with access to the School of Jewellery for an additional 4 days per month to develop their own work and/or research. Develop technical skills and/or use the spaces in a dynamic and creative environment, they are invited to work within the vibrant and rich community in the School of Jewellery and have access to Birmingham City University, School of Jewellery facilities during the academic term. As well as join current Artist in Residence to share practice through artist talks, demonstrations, and an exhibition in Vittoria Street Gallery.

Details

Financial support of £6,400 to be paid to each Diversity Champion.

A separate expenses budget to use against the project deliverables of £1,500 to be accessed through the University expenses systems per Postholder.

Overall Shared Grant Objectives

To identify if there are underlying barriers or reasons that underrepresented students don’t apply to study jewellery related courses
To increase awareness of jewellery being a possible career pathway for those at school and college.
Over time to increase the number of students from underrepresented communities taking jewellery related courses at the Birmingham City University (BCU), School of Jewellery / other similar institutions.
Exploration of what a De Beers (DB) funded scholarship might be, and what the ideal make-up of this would be. This should include looking into a pathway from Schools, Colleges, and Academies, including the MasterPeace Academy.

Postholder Role Objectives

To be a learning experience for the Postholder and knowledge exchange between Birmingham City University (BCU) and DB.
Through a variety of research methods assess current situation of students from underrepresented communities at BCU and make comparisons with other Higher Education Institutes (HEI).
Raise awareness of jewellery and identify opportunities as a potential career choice within School and Further Education (FE) settings, particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas in Birmingham and the wider community.
To share progress reports and learnings with BCU and DB through a series of mentoring and milestone meetings. Create a report identifying the underlying barriers and reasons of why people from underrepresented communities are not progressing into jewellery industry positions.
Create actions for strategic initiatives / events / interventions for Schools and Colleges, responding to feedback from students and staff.
Champion and deliver priority actions identified through discussion with University and Industry mentors.
Evaluate the long-term opportunities addressing the challenges within Schools and FE.
Conclude the report enabling the next role holder to continue this work, including the compilation of a list of resources, contacts and funding opportunities, grants, or bursary support.

Applicants

We would welcome applicants from a diversity of backgrounds including from underrepresented communities.

Send your applications to Karen Jones and Sarah Meeson; School of Jewellery, Jewellery Course Admin - JewelleryProgrammeAdmin@bcu.ac.uk

Please provide a cover letter stating your suitability for the role and accompanying curriculum vitae.

Applications due 4pm 7th July 2023

Interviews for the successful applications will take place in the afternoon of 12th of July.