Kada Research, a consultancy providing social and economic research, were commissioned by Sheffield Hallam University in March 2024 to evaluate the impact of the Equator project.
This report – which includes the viewpoints of participants of the 2022 and 2023 Research Schools, and the 2022 mentoring network – is now complete and available to read here, with very positive findings of the long-term impacts of the Equator project on participants.
This work set out to provide longitudinal insights into Equator project participants’ progression, sense of belonging (within GEES) and feelings towards a GEES research career.
It aimed to explore the impacts of the Equator project on participants and their subsequent education or employment opportunities
The report finds that
- participation in the Equator project directly led to successful applications to postgraduate study and research. The Equator project has created networks which people still utilise for support and advice. People also described how the Equator project had increased their confidence and equipped them with skills to navigate academia.
- The Equator project has positively changed people’s perceptions of and feelings towards careers within GEES research. It has provided people with a sense of belonging through the development of networks. It also created safe spaces for people to openly discuss their lived experiences which some had previously not had access to. Notably, the Equator Project has galvanised people to undertake more EDI activities as they want to support the next generation.
The report concludes by finding that the fully funded nature of the project increased the reach and impact of participation in Equator; and that the communities created through the Equator project are still valued and used by participants.
For more information about the Equator Project, reach out to project leads Dr Natasha Dowey (n.dowey@shu.ac.uk) or Prof. Sam Giles (s.giles.1@bham.ac.uk).