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Equity in Doctoral Education through Partnership and Innovation (EDEPI)

Removing barriers to doctoral education for racially minoritised groups.

What is the EDEPI programme?

EDEPI is one of 13 Research England and Office for Students funded programmes, created to tackle persistent inequalities that create barriers to access and participation in doctoral education for racially minoritised groups.

The EDEPI programme is divided into three distinct work packages targeting recruitment, admissions and transition as critical points of systemic inequality, through sector-leading initiatives delivered at Nottingham Trent University (NTU), Sheffield Hallam University (SHU) and Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU).

Why is the EDEPI programme needed?

The United Kingdom is a world-leading provider of doctoral programmes, yet the demographic of PhD researchers is far from a true reflection of our diverse population. Doctoral education in the UK is struggling to create genuine equity, and individuals from racially minoritised groups continue to face significant barriers to accessing doctoral-level degrees. As a result, crucial voices aren't heard: without equity in doctoral research, we lack the potential for real innovation and for research that breaks the mould to facilitate real social change.

Meet the EDEPI team

The EDEPI Delivery Executive is an action-oriented group comprising colleagues from each partner institution. The overall purpose of the Delivery Executive is to support the operational delivery of the EDEPI programme.

  • Lauren Russell - EDEPI Programme Manager
    Lauren Russell - EDEPI Programme Manager
  • Jack Benjamin - EDEPI Data and Evaluation Officer
    Jack Benjamin - EDEPI Data and Evaluation Officer
  • Dr Rebekah Smith McGloin - EDEPI Principal Investigator
    Dr Rebekah Smith McGloin - EDEPI Principal Investigator
  • Dr Katherine Friend - EDEPI Evaluation Lead
    Dr Katherine Friend - EDEPI Evaluation Lead
  • Dr Susan Campbell - Work Package One Lead
    Dr Susan Campbell - Work Package One Lead
  • Dr Julie Sheldon - Work Package Two Lead
    Dr Julie Sheldon - Work Package Two Lead
  • Caroline Murray - EDEPI Project Support Assistant
    Caroline Murray - EDEPI Project Support Assistant
  • Jessica Bamonte - EDEPI Senior Administrator
    Jessica Bamonte - EDEPI Senior Administrator
  • Bamba Khan - EDEPI PGR Research Assistant at NTU
    Bamba Khan - EDEPI PGR Research Assistant at NTU
  • Krutika Nitin Alpe - EDEPI PGR placement student at NTU
    Krutika Nitin Alpe - EDEPI PGR placement student at NTU
  • Maryam Pourzakarya EDEPI - PGR placement student at NTU
    Maryam Pourzakarya EDEPI - PGR placement student at NTU
  • Chinenye Okonkwo - EDEPI PGR placement student at NTU
    Chinenye Okonkwo - EDEPI PGR placement student at NTU
  • Muna Nuh Ali - EDEPI PGR placement student at SHU
    Muna Nuh Ali - EDEPI PGR placement student at SHU
  • Phebie Watson - EDEPI PGR placement student at LJMU
    Phebie Watson - EDEPI PGR placement student at LJMU
  • Ellie Glover - EDEPI PGR placement student at LJMU
    Ellie Glover - EDEPI PGR placement student at LJMU