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Centre launches new mentorship programme in partnership with In2Science

The Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging (WCHN) is excited to embark on a new partnership with In2science by launching a new pilot mentorship programme. Entitled In2research, this new programme is designed for alumni of In2science’s current placement programme, who are now looking to further develop their careers in academia by pursuing a PhD.

Obtaining a PhD is often limited to those who are able to fund their own Masters degree. The cost of such Masters (which can be £10-20,000) presents a significant barrier to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who do not have the means to support this. Therefore, In2research hopes to help address this by providing crucial experience, support and guidance from expert mentors to alumni who are now passionate about pursuing a PhD.

This new one-year programme, starting in October 2020, will provide In2scienceUK alumni with the opportunity to pair up with mentors from WCHN. The mentors cover a wide range of expertise across science, technology, engineering and medical fields and will include Biologists, Neuroscientists, Physicists, Computer/Data Scientists, Engineers, Medical Clinicians, and Research Assistants.

Over the academic year (October 2020 – June 2021), mentors will host eight sessions with their mentees, using In2science’s established online platform. Each session aims to break down the barriers that young people from disadvantaged backgrounds face in progressing onto PhDs and careers in academia. Students will also attend two away days which will include talks from keynote speakers, and will focus on building confidence and leadership skills.

The programme will enable researchers to share their expertise, passion and knowledge of working within scientific careers, with the aim of building the mentees’ communication skills and confidence within scientific environments. In addition, we hope that by working with these students we will gain insight into how to better support diversity in research, combating the barriers within research culture and challenging the way we do things.

Cassandra Hugill, Public Engagement Manager at the Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging said:

“We are excited to be working with the In2science team to help to break down the numerous barriers that the brilliant and passionate In2science alumni students may face when pursuing a career in academia. Through the In2research programme, we hope to be able to help to diversify research, while learning how to be more inclusive in what we do and how we do it.”

The Centre has collaborated with In2science since 2018, hosting six students over two-week internships each summer. This included two lab placements, and four development days including a final presentation by the students conveying what they had learnt during their time with the Centre. The researchers find In2science to be a remarkable programme and a great opportunity to build their communication skills, whilst also having a meaningful impact on the students’ perception of research in science.

 

Cathy Price, Director of the Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging added:

“We are delighted to be embarking on this new partnership with In2science. The In2research programme will be an exciting new opportunity to engage and empower the next generation of researchers, while also helping to diversify and progress research culture.”