Call for applications: 100 Black Women Professors Now!
22 Sep 2023
Applications open for unique 12-month accelerator programme for Black women academics, researchers and PhD students
The University has committed to a number of fully-funded places for the next cohort of the 100 Black Women Professors NOW (BWPN) programme. Applications are open for the tracks for Advanced Career academics and researchers (Grade 8), Early and Mid-Career academics and researchers (Grade 6-7) and PhD students.
Please read the 2024 programme guidance in full before applying.
100 BWPN is an innovative 12-month accelerator and change programme for UK universities, developed and delivered by the Women’s Higher Education Network (WHEN). The programme aims to propel equity of opportunity for Black women academics, researchers and PhD students and to deliver a step change in progress for the sector by working with individuals throughout the academic pipeline as well as institutions, line managers and leaders.
Programme participants will take part in and benefit from mentorship, career coaching, action learning and peer group coaching, networking, masterclasses, campaign and profile-raising opportunities.
The University of Manchester was one of six institutions to participate in the successful 2021/22 pilot. The pilot was strongly supported by our President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell. Senior leadership engagement and support for this programme will continue for this next cohort.
Professor Dawn Edge, University programme lead and Academic Lead for race equality, said 'I am delighted that the University is participating in the next cohort of the 100 Black Women Professors NOW programme, following two successful cohorts. This demonstrates our commitment to race and gender equality and to supporting our Black women professors of the future. Our participants to date are reaping the benefits of the programme and their efforts, from academic promotion to new internal and external networks which are supporting their career development.'
Programme criteria and application and selection process
All criteria for Advanced Career academics and researchers (Grade 8), Early and Mid-Career academics and researchers (Grade 6-7) and PhD student tracks are available in the 2024 programme guidance. Please read this guidance in full before applying.
Apply to the 100 BWPN programme via the following links:
- Eligible applicants for Track One/Two (Early/Mid and Advanced Career academics and researchers)
- Eligible applicants for Track Three (PhD students)
Completed applications should be submitted via the relevant online form by 5pm on Monday, 16 October 2023. Applications via email will not be considered.
Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application by Friday, 3 November 2023.
Please note: as part of the application, you will be asked to include a short supporting statement from your line manager (for Track One and Two) or PhD supervisor (for Track Three). You should contact them as soon as possible to signpost them to programme guidance (which outlines the requirements for the supporting statement), the programme leaflet and the line manager/supervisor’s programme guide which gives an outline of the role of managers and supervisors on the programme. The statement is required in order to submit your application via the online form.
Drop in Session on Wednesday, 4 October
We are holding an optional programme information and application drop-in session online on Wednesday, 4 October, 12-1pm. This is an opportunity to ask questions about the application process and the programme itself. If you would like to join, please email the Directorate of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and we will send the joining instructions.
If you have any questions about the programme, application or selection process, please email the Directorate of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion or Professor Dawn Edge, the organisational lead for the programme and the University’s first Black woman professor.
More information
100 BWPN 2024 programme guidance