University of Leicester announced the launch of new initiatives specifically directed to address a lack of diversity in their museum sector. The School of Museum Studies celebrated it 50th Anniversary with announcements to work and improve the numbers of students from diverse backgrounds by introducing scholarships for applicants from under-represented groups.
It will also include a new course studying equality and diversity in the museum sector and participation in a nationwide project designed to enhance student diversity led by the Equality Challenge Unit. The School, an active institution with partnerships across the world and a range of postgraduate courses to offer, remains the only university department in the UK dedicated to the study of museums and galleries.
Kate Bunning, Programme Director for Museum Studies by Distance Learning at the University of Leicester said, "As part of our broader efforts to foster diversity within the museum sector, we have introduced Diversity Scholarships to mark the 50th anniversary of the School of Museum Studies. We were thrilled with the response, receiving a large number of high quality applications from those who are under-represented in the sector. After careful consideration, we were delighted to inform our four outstanding winners who will being their studies with us in the autumn." She added, "We are grateful to colleagues within the University, especially in the Equalities and Widening Participation teams, for their tremendous support, encouragement and advice in taking forward this new initiative."
Each scholarship winner will receive a fee discount of £3,000 on Master’s or Postgraduate diploma programmes starting in autumn 2016
