Underrepresentation in academia creates unique, systemic barriers that standard university frameworks often overlook.

Demystifying Academia is a new project, commissioned by the White Rose University Consortium and led by Dr Karisha George designed specifically to help researchers navigate systematic barriers in academia.

The project is now recruiting participants for its pilot programme. 

We will reimburse travel costs of up to £30 for delegates from our member institutions at Leeds, Sheffield and York who attend a workshop outside of their home institutions.

Is this for you?

This programme is for Global Majority Postdoctoral Researchers (Postdocs), which usually means anyone up to 10 years post-PhD who does not hold a permanent contract. The term ‘Global Majorities’ was chosen by Equity in Leadership participants as it provides a more positive perspective compared to the othering narrative of “minority groups.”

Register your interest here.

Why take part

This pilot is designed to give you the clarity and strategic tools that often remain hidden in academia. Through open, supportive sessions, we will focus on:

• Learning how to demystify the often vague stages of early academic careers and gain institutional clarity that others frequently take for granted
• Building practical strategies to navigate systemic barriers, microaggressions, and unseen pressures that can chip away at your confidence and slow your progression.
• Defining what a fulfilling academic career looks like for you, ensuring your work feels like a true, thriving career
• Identifying the specific pressures carried by Global Majority researchers when engaging with external audiences and wider academic and non-academic communities

What taking part looks like

The programme will involve three in-person days, each hosted at a different White Rose partner institution (Leeds, Sheffield and York), giving you a genuinely reflective space away from your usual environment without the disruption of an overnight stay.

Session dates:

28 September York
19 October Sheffield
9 November Leeds

We will reimburse travel costs of up to £30 for delegates from our member institutions at Leeds, Sheffield and York who attend a workshop outside of their home institutions.

Place allocation: Places will be allocated through a ballot process. After the application deadline, all eligible applications will be entered into a random draw, from which 24 participants, 8 per partner, will be selected. This method ensures that everyone who applies has an equal opportunity to take part in the event.

Register your interest here.