Symbol

About

Equal
Representation

The multi award-winning ERA initiative is a tried and tested model which can be embedded into your university as is. Despite this, we will review your diversity, equity and inclusion data and tailor the programme to suit your needs, with the aim of improving widening participation to academia. As the ERA is a cross-university initiative, your students can be placed with one of our partner organisations. We will organise and facilitate all placements. 

We offer students from underrepresented backgrounds the following:

Work shadowing:

a “try before you buy” experience

Students will shadow a research group, and hone research, academic and soft skills, whilst receiving careers coaching and developing research networks

Studentships:

For students who are decided on a career in academia, studentships offer a unique opportunity to create and conduct a research project, and communicate the output via a journal article or conference presentation

Cross-university placements

to promote knowledge exchange throughout the higher education sector and build research networks

Mentoring, networking and careers workshops

To create a support system of like-minded professionals, expand professional networks, and ensure career advancement

Resilience training

To ensure students are fully equipped to face any challenges they may face in their chosen field.

ERA ambassador's programme

Our alumni engage with the community to highlight the vital contribution of academia to life.

The ERA placement has given me a taste of a research career and made me excited to pursue one! The ERA has been an amazing learning experience and I wish there were more programs like this!

Gresilda Asllani

1 year Biomedical Science student
This ERA placement has provided me with the opportunity to gain invaluable insight into research and academia which has had a positive influence and impact on the career path I would like to pursue, on completion of my Occupational Therapy BSc. at SGUL.

Maya Caan

Occupational Therapy graduate
I never considered a career in academia, until this placement. I really recommend it to everyone. Even medics. It really eases you into the iBsc. I really enjoyed my time doing this.

Lien Salcedo

Intercalated BSc student
I was able to build on the knowledge learned at university and witness the practical applications of these concepts. I have also enjoyed being part of a team that advocates for the need for inclusivity and diversity, in research and the workplace.

Lakshmi Pathmanathan

1st year Biomedical Science student
Not only can you enhance your professional network and career development, but you do all of this with the knowledge that the ERA initiative supports such an important ethos in addressing the lack of workplace diversity.

Samia Tajbiha

3rd year Biomedical Science student
ERA is a great opportunity for someone who is an outsider to the academic world. It's a humbling experience that makes you realize the amount of work needed to get in and survive in the competitive academic world.

Ruchi Wadhwa

Chronic Disease Management MSc
The ERA placement was an amazing opportunity to see first hand the incredible amount of effort and work that goes on in research. I came to this placement with very little knowledge about careers in research and came out absolutely amazed.

Javeria Nishtar

3rd year Biomedical Science student
An incredible insight into scientific research, a career that is not talked about enough! The two weeks on this placement have given me valuable time to network, learn and discover the ins and outs of neuroscience, infection and immunity, while witnessing the behind the scenes of cutting-edge research.

Diyana Anthony

1st year Clinical Pharmacology student
My experience with the ERA studentship has been insightful and stimulating, and equally rewarding.

Somto Muoneke

3rd year Biomedical Science student
I am honoured to have been part of such an invaluable opportunity! This combination of research and application within medicine has reaffirmed my decision to pursue this career.

Sabrin Mohamed

3rd year Biomedical Science student
Beyond the technical and academic skills, the ERA programme held significant importance for ethnic minorities like myself. The true testament to the programme's effectiveness was being awarded the BHF-funded PhD studentship. The invaluable skills and experiences I gained during my time with ERA undoubtedly played a pivotal role in this achievement.

Rahil Isar

Clinical Pharmacology graduate
I gained hands on experience of attaching electrodes at standard locations on the patients’ head for EEG recordings according to the international 10-20 System of placement, which was a new technique introduced to me. I also had opportunity to be involved in administering questionnaires to patients and recording non-invasive physiological measures of stress (heart rate variability). Overall, I was thoroughly captivated by the experience.

Ilyas Moosavi

1st year biomedical science student
After doing my placement I feel a lot more confident in my skills since I was exposed to several resources and opportunities to aid my personal development. Considering that most of the time I tend to be quite introverted, working one-on-one with my supervisor and her PhD students allowed me to ask more questions freely and gave me more time to go through experiments at my own pace, with further guidance available at any time I needed it..

Giulia Kengne Fotso

1st Year Biomedical Science student
Applying for the ERA placement was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I have always wanted to pursue a career in academia but I had no idea on how to go about it. The placement allowed me to gain insight on the different careers in academia and most importantly how to apply for PhD opportunities.

Rutendo Makuve

Chronic Disease Management MSc
  • ADDRESS
  • EKTAA CIC
  • 86-90 Paul Street
  • EC2A 4NE
Instagram Youtube Linkedin

Ektaa is a social enterprise: community interest company: Company number: 13965495 

Brand and website by BlowUp

“2Students from ethnic minority backgrounds often express that they cannot find role models from the same background amongst university staff.”

Group 3

“Students from ethnic minority backgrounds often express that they cannot find role models from the same background amongst university staff.”

Group 3