Project rationale  

This project is based in the DEAR CentreLink opens in a new window and located in Education Studies at the University of Wawrick, and will be evaluating the Warwick PATHWAY programmeLink opens in a new window which is coordinated by the National Centre for Research CultureLink opens in a new window (NCRC). The Warwick PATHWAY programme addresses the under-representation of Black researchers (e.g. doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows, early career researchers) within higher education institutions, which is a concern at the University of Warwick and a wider issue across the UK higher education sector. It is envisaged that the evaluation will shape the development of, and future practice for the PATHWAY programme. 

Project objectives  

1. To explore how the Warwick PATHWAY programme was conceived, how its aims were developed (including stakeholder engagement), and how the scheme was designed and established.  
2. To identify and explore the implementation of PATHWAY programme components, examining their cohesiveness, and the extent to which they form an effective ‘pathway’ for Black researchers.  
3. To refine an appropriate methodology of collaborative participatory evaluation that may be of use for similar EDI initiatives.  

Research questions  

1. How was the Warwick PATHWAY programme conceived? How were its aims developed (including stakeholder engagement)? How was the scheme designed and established? 
2. How was the Warwick PATHWAY programme implemented? How effective is the implementation? Does the programme form an effective ‘pathway’ for Black researchers? 

Project outcomes  

1. To develop guiding principles for implementing research pipeline programmes for Black researchers in alignment with the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).  
2. To develop exemplary guidance about how other UK universities may establish Pathways programmes to address the leaky pipeline for Black researchers. 
3. Develop an open-access participatory evaluation toolkit that can be used for evaluating EDI programmes at Warwick, and in the UK HE sector.