Black or mixed Black heritage students are still under-represented in the geospatial industry and the ‘knowledge access level’ to enter the industry tends to be a higher education degree.
In an attempt to encourage Black or mixed-Black heritage students, Esri UK has partnered with Akama Fund, a charity dedicated to supporting students and facilitating accessible scholarships, to create a new scholarship program for them.
Designed to support 60 higher education students, in disciplines related to the geospatial industry, the Geospatial Student Accelerator scheme will make awards totaling £30,000 in the first year.
Pete Wilkinson, Managing Director of Esri UK, says: “We know that while numbers of Black or mixed Black students are growing in degree programmes that may use GIS, the course completion rate of Black students is much lower than others.”
Thelma Onyeka, Founder and Chair of Akama Fund, says: “Black and mixed Black students pursuing careers in the geospatial industry encounter compounding challenges.”
Challenges faced by the Black and mixed Black students
According to statistics compiled by the Royal Geographical Society and Black Geographers organization, although the number of Black students taking geography increased significantly between 2008 and 2018, Black students are still under-represented in geography degrees. They are also significantly less likely to complete their degree; in 2018, 72% of White students studying geography completed their course compared to just 57% of Black students.
Beyond the over-arching burden of the cost-of-living crisis (as of 2023, 41% of students have contemplated leaving because of financial concerns), they grapple with uncertainty about their career prospects and financial stability throughout their academic journey. The daunting question of ‘Will this lead to a job?’ looms large, intensified by the difficulty in accessing additional funding without any social connections within the industry.
External factors and pressures also contribute to this higher drop-out rate which has been amplified by the cost-of-living crisis.
“Furthermore, the lack of representation in field work exacerbates their sense of isolation, particularly for those from inner city state school backgrounds. Access to relevant work experiences and industry-aligned development is crucial for their growth and sense of belonging, yet these opportunities often remain elusive amidst financial constraints which force them to take on jobs to make ends meet,” adds Onyeka.
“Being busy also makes it challenging to apply for scholarships but Akama Fund makes the application process a lot easier compared to others so we’re tackling the problem of not having enough time to apply,” adds Wilkinson.
About the scholarship
Ten students will be awarded up to £2,500 each while an additional 50 will receive funds of £300 to buy items and clothing needed for fieldwork. All applicants will gain access to Esri UK’s mentorship network, personal development workshops, and other career resources provided by Akama Fund, aimed at enhancing their professional development. One student can get a chance to attend Esri’s global user conference in California, one of the largest geospatial events in the world.
Akama Fund is providing its scholarship application platform and student outreach, while Esri UK is funding the program. The new scheme removes some of the stress and burden of applying for scholarships due to Akama’s proven two-stage process and its staff who support and encourage students throughout the procedure.
Students can send their applications between 4-31 March 2024 from higher education students, enrolled at UK universities in relevant fields, including Geography, Earth and Environmental Studies, Landscape Architecture, Biology, and Archaeology.
“The Geospatial Student Accelerator scheme has been designed to widen the scope of support for students from Black and mixed Black backgrounds, in line with Esri UK’s dedication to cultivating a more inclusive and diverse geospatial community,” explains Wilkinson.
“By increasing the number of financial awards and easing the burden of applying, working with Akama we want to identify and nurture a higher number of talented individuals and accelerate their journey towards a geospatial career.”
Thelma Onyeka comments, “Each scholarship symbolizes the start of a journey, a journey of a student who can continue their study in the field of their choice, on the road to meeting their unlocked potential. At Akama Fund, our vision is a world where every student can pursue a fulfilling career, and in turn, help the generations after them to achieve the same.”
Benefits of the scholarship
The new accelerator program helps in removing some of the financial burden and associated stress so the students can focus on their studies. It does this by contributing towards the costs of IT or fieldwork equipment in particular – these two elements are often part of a degree program but add considerable expense to a course.
In the past, students have told Esri UK that even small amounts of additional funding can have a significant impact and that’s why they are taking the new ‘micro-scholarships’ approach so they can target this issue more effectively.
But it’s not just about financial support – the program will also help shape their geospatial career due to the other resources available such as career advice, CV workshops, and mentorships and this is available for all eligible applicants, not just those who receive the awards.
“The Geospatial Student Accelerator encourages diversity and inclusion in the geospatial industries on the whole and promotes how important this is, in fields that inform decisions that can affect all our lives – from energy to climate, environment to healthcare,” adds Wilkinson.
Onyeka, says, “Additionally, our programme offers structured mentorship, funding for essential equipment, and access to geospatial influencers who share their insights and experiences of field work. Through these initiatives, Akama Fund aims to redefine scholarship support for the next generation of geospatial professionals, empowering black students to navigate and shape their careers with confidence and resilience in an industry that is investing in them.”
