UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 15 JANUARY 2021
Two BCU academics have been awarded research funding at the Research and Scoping Awards 2020.
The Society for Research into Higher Education (SRHE) recently awarded £5,000 to Lecturer and Tutor at the Conservatoire and Research Assistant in the BCU School of Education Kirsty Devaney for her project: ‘Investigating how socio-economic background influences music students’ aspirations, sense of identity and belonging within UK conservatoires’.
The award from the Scoping Award Scheme was one of two made by the SRHE.
Kirsty commented: “My research will look at the barriers some young people face when making a career in music education. This research aims to listen to the experiences of students from diverse backgrounds currently studying music at three different UK conservatoires.
“As part of the SRHE scoping award, an extensive literature review will be produced alongside recommendations for practice and policy to ensure routes to industry are available for all.”
Separately, the SRHE also awarded funding of up to £10,000 to BCU Senior Research Fellow Dr Kate Carruthers Thomas from the School of Social Sciences for her proposed project entitled: ‘Dear Diary: Equality implications for female academics of changes to working practices in lockdown and beyond’.
This project was one of four research proposals that received funding.