Postgraduate Research Associates

Sarah is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Education, with a Bachelors and Masters in Black Studies. Her academic journey has revolved around delving into the challenges and triumphs of global majority communities, so she is thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of the That's Me! Project, an initiative that deeply resonates with her passion for equity, institutional accountability, and inclusion.

The That's Me! project's commitment to dismantling barriers and cultivating a more inclusive research environment provides a unique opportunity to make a substantial impact on the representation and success of global majority researchers. Sarah is looking forward to co- creating solutions and working alongside fellow researchers to drive positive change in the West Midlands and beyond. Together, we can eliminate obstacles, empower global majority researchers, and celebrate their contributions to research and academia.

Emmanuel is a registered nurse and midwife with over 10 years of experience within and outside the UK. He has worked as the Chief Operating Officer of the Institute of Nursing Research, Nigeria, where his research focuses on digital nursing education, public health, cancer, genetics, and genomics. He is currently a doctoral researcher and assistant lecturer at Birmingham City University, UK. His doctoral research explores teaching and learning in digital spaces in nursing and midwifery education.

Emmanuel is excited about joining the "That's Me! Project", an initiative that aligns with his desire to contribute to upholding equity within the research landscape, removing obstacles and thus ensuring success for most researchers.

Huafeng holds BA in China and MA in Germany, and recently continue her academic journey as a PhD student at BCU focusing on the digital divide and inclusive city planning in public transport. With years of experience as an architect and design manager in Europe, Huafeng possesses a diverse skill set and confidence in engaging with various stakeholders, providing her with a global perspective and mindset.

"That's Me" project resonates deeply with her as an international student with a Global majority background, especially concerning routes in barriers and strategies for navigating routes out in the context of the UK.

A first-generation immigrant from Ukraine, with a working-class background, Melisa offers a unique and underrepresented perspective in the realm of higher education. Melisa is deeply committed to advancing equality, diversity, and inclusion by shining a light on a seemingly overlooked group of students in research, those who navigate higher education as migrants, particularly those with varying circumstances with the Home Office which often hinder their potential. 

Her PhD research focuses on empowering civil society in the US through the UPR, aiming to create a model for these CSOs to advocate for targeted, accessible, and human rights-aligned law reform using the UPR. Now, in her role as a research assistant on the That's Me Project, Melisa brings her passion for academic research, diverse skill set, and unwavering commitment to fostering inclusive academic spaces, with the aim of making a significant impact on the PGR community.