Two school students practice suturing as part of the Pathways to Medicine scheme

Welcome to the Outreach Black Student Advisory Board! 

About the Board

The Outreach Black Student Advisory Board, first launched in July 2020 and was set up to engage and consult Imperial students in the work the Outreach department and Imperial are doing to increase diversity and inclusion, and in particular, to increase the number of Black heritage students at Imperial.  

It also aims to: 

  • Provide a safe, supportive, and inclusive space for students to share ideas, challenges, feedback and different perspectives on the landscape affecting Black students.  
  • Help increase the representation and participation of Black students in Outreach programmes.  
  • Help to address barriers faced by Black students at Imperial and those interested in pursuing a STEMB degree. 
  • Encourage Black students to take on leadership roles and gain experience on an advisory board. 
  • Encourage participation, collaboration and teamwork as we work towards common goals and a shared vision. 

Purpose of the panel

Each meeting will focus on one of the following key themes: 

Community engagement:  

  • Helping to foster a sense of community and belonging among Black students at Imperial by advising on tailored events and activities and allocation of the Outreach Seed Fund. 

Feedback and improvement:  

  • Provide feedback on existing Outreach programmes and Imperial initiatives aimed at supporting Black students at Imperial. 
  • Help us to identify and understand barriers to participation and propose solutions. 

Advocacy and awareness:  

  • Advocate for the needs and interests of Black students at Imperial and those pursuing a STEMB education. 
  • Raise awareness of and escalate issues affecting Black students at Imperial. 

Empower: 

  • Empower Black students to hold stakeholders accountable for implementing recommendations and addressing concerns raised by the panel. 

 

Applications are now closed and will open in the Autumn 2025.

More about the advisory board

Black students in discussion

Membership and meetings

The advisory board will include approximately ten student members. We expect a commitment of one academic year with the option to re-apply.  

 Alongside the board, there will be an accountability group, consisting of relevant members of Imperial Outreach staff and senior leadership who will be invited to attend and participate.   

There will be approximately four meetings a year, from December to June. Each meeting is up to two hours long with lunch provided. In-person attendance is strongly encouraged but meetings will be hybrid if needed. 

The advisory board will be co-chaired by Hanna Jama (Outreach) and a student chair. 

Paid opportunity

Each board member will be paid an hourly rate  (£16.68 per hour including holiday pay) for meetings attended and a higher rated of pay  (£20.82 per hour including holiday pay) when co-chairing. 

IMPORTANT: In order to apply, you must be a current Imperial student or alumni and have the right to work in the UK. 

Representation and diversity on the panel 

There will be some recurring positions each year:  

  • Imperial College Union Liberation and Community Network representative  
  • Imperial College Union African Caribbean Society representatives – President and Outreach Officer  
  • Outreach Ambassador 
  • Outreach Leader 
  • Former Outreach programme participant 

 

David Tyoember and others sitting at the Enterprise Lab

Application process

Can I demonstrate the key skills and attributes needed to be a part of the Board? 

This is an opportunity for you to tell us more about yourself, why you are interested in becoming a part of the board, and the skills or experience you have to thrive in the role.  Applicants will be assessed based on the answers provided as no interviews will be taking place.

We advise applicants to read the job description carefully, prior to applying and ensure you include details of how you meet the experience, knowledge and skills required.  

You don't need prior work experience to apply, but we would like to encourage you to draw on a range of experiences and give specific examples of when you have shown these skills. 

We particularly welcome applicants who meet one or more of the following criteria: 

  • Have insight and understanding of the educational experience of school students of Black British backgrounds and the challenges/ barriers they face in accessing HE 
  • Have experience of attending a state school in the UK 
  • Have attended any of our Outreach programmes before coming to Imperial 

Please complete the online application form using the link provided below.

Apply to be a board member
Board member job description [DOCX]
three students from black heritage background talking

Links to other opportunities