This project was launched in 2021-22 to provide support for students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds, and who are struggling with poor academic performance in the 1st & 2nd year of their undergraduate degree. As part of the project, PhD students work as mentors on a one-to-one basis with their undergraduate mentees over the course of the academic year.
The aims of the project are peer learning, narrowing the awarding gap, retaining diverse students, and generating a pipeline of students from a diverse background into postgraduate study (PGT & PGR) in Geography. Structured academic mentoring sessions are designed to solidify students’ understanding of academic requirements in course assessments, managing time, the transition to university, course content etc. The aim is to create safe spaces for students to engage in meaningful, honest and at times challenging discussions about their experiences in learning. It supports individual students to reflect, understand and create change, through participation in the project, and to develop the capacity and skills to identify ways to improve their academic performance and university experience. The project provides a nurturing environment for disadvantaged students, enhances their student experience, and relates to RHUL's strategic priorities around inclusive education. The project recruits internally from the Department’s cohort of PhD students to work as paid mentors. The Department provides PhD students with mentoring training to work with the undergraduate students. The project encourages peer learning but also serves to guide students to other institutional support provided by RHUL. This project also gives PhD students mentoring and teaching experience to enhance their future career prospects. The Undergraduate Lad and the Equality and Diversity Lead within the Department supervise the project. The selection process of students for this project is done by Undergraduate Lead reviewing the academic performance and applying demographic characteristics to fulfil EDI requirements. Each student is allocated 5-6 hours of mentoring sessions for each academic year.
This project has been successful in contributing to providing individualised study support specific to the discipline of Geography. This targeted support for students from disadvantaged background improves access and participation of disadvantaged students to postgraduate study too. We have also established a PGR Studentship from 2022-23 to support students from disadvantaged background to pursue PhD within the department. Qualitative feedback from students who participate in the mentorship project and from mentors who have been involved so far has been very positive (see mentor and mentee videos).
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