Join the That’s Me! edited collection as a co-creator

We are inviting Expressions of Interest to join the That’s Me! edited collection as a co-creator.

This open access publication will share the findings and learning from That’s Me! Eliminating Barriers to Postgraduate Research Study in the West Midlands — a cross-institutional project led by Birmingham City University and the University of Wolverhampton, funded by UKRI and the Office for Students.

The collection forms part of the project’s sustainability plan and aims to contribute to national conversations about widening participation in doctoral research.

More than a publication opportunity, this is a structured professional development experience. Contributors will work collaboratively to shape, develop and refine the collection through workshops and reciprocal mentoring.

What does being a co-creator involve?

As a co-creator, you will:

• Contribute your own/or a co-authored piece to the collection
• Help shape the editorial direction of the publication
• Take part in writing, development and editing workshops
• Receive reciprocal mentoring support to get your contribution publication ready
• Gain experience of collaborative editing and publication processes

We invite contributions in a range of formats, including:

1. Chapters (up to 6,000 words including references)
2. Short pieces (up to 1,000 words), that could consist of:
3. Reflective, autotheoretical or autoethnographic writing
4. Methodological reflections
5. Dialogues, conversations, roundtables or interviews

1. Creative-critical work (e.g. fiction, poetry, visual work)

Who can apply?

We welcome researchers at all career stages and from all backgrounds.

We particularly encourage expressions of interest from:

• Global Majority researchers
• Postgraduate researchers and Early Career Researchers
• Those involved in the design, delivery, analysis or reporting of That’s Me! in academic, professional, creative or support roles

Criteria for selection

Submissions will be reviewed for:

1. Relevance to the collection’s focus
2. Originality and critical contribution
3. Coherence, clarity and fit within the collection

Applications will be reviewed by the That’s Me! Project Team.

How to apply

Please complete the short expression of interest form by 5PM on Monday 7 April 2026, outlining:

• An abstract of your proposed contribution, including indicative title, and how it connects to That’s Me! themes or outputs (no more than 300 words)*
• The format of your submission

Please also include:

• Your full name
• Your role (staff or postgraduate researcher)
• Your organisation

Key Dates

• Expression of interest deadline: 5pm, 7 April 2026
• First draft of contribution due: 30 June 2026.

*You can find out more about the That’s Me Project themes and outputs here. We are particularly interested in submissions that explore:

• Structural inequities in doctoral access, progression, and transition
• Demystifying doctoral pathways and widening participation
• Anti-racist and equity-informed admissions practices
• Racialised belonging, isolation, and representation in academia
• The role of culture in shaping postgraduate researcher experiences
• Cultural change beyond performative diversity
• Embedding EDI in supervision, governance, and institutional policy
• Mentorship, sponsorship, and peer-led community models
• Mental health and culturally competent support systems
• Lived experience as knowledge in research design and policy reform
• Employer–researcher engagement (misconceptions and recognition of doctoral skillsets)
• Career equity, placements, and industry–academia partnerships