UWE Bristol launches Paul Stephenson bursary to support students from BAME backgrounds
See all news![Two women viewing a computer monitor.](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/uwe-bristol-launches-paul-stephenson-bursary-to-support-students-from-bame-backgrounds-760x308.jpg?la=en&h=308&w=760&mw=847&hash=C8CE9E91CB3F3465BD0CAF3A51A350DD)
UWE Bristol has launched a new bursary named after the Bristol civil rights activist Paul Stephenson OBE to help students from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.
The five successful recipients of the grant will each receive £1,000 in the first two years of their university studies. The funds will be provided by UWE Bristol and will assist students with their living costs; helping to widen participation within higher education and supporting BAME students to further their ambitions.
It is one of two new bursaries launched by the Faculty of Arts, Creative Industries and Education (ACE) to help new undergraduate students from under-represented groups with living costs. The other bursary, The Dean’s Bursary, is aimed at applicants from ‘low participating neighbourhoods’ which are areas where young people traditionally do not consider Higher Education.
UWE Bristol has a long-standing relationship with Mr Stephenson and his family. He was awarded an honorary degree of Master of Education in 2009 and has worked closely with the University for some time to launch this new initiative.
Mr Stephenson’s daughter, Fumi, said: “Dad attended university in Birmingham in the 1950s, where after one of his first jobs was in teaching. He always promoted the importance of education in and outside the house. He is very happy to know that there is a bursary to support the gap in the system whereby talent can be supported in a meaningful way for the local community.’’
Mr Stephenson is a community worker, activist and long-time campaigner for civil rights for the British African Caribbean community in Bristol.
As a young social worker in 1963 he led a boycott of the Bristol Omnibus Company, protesting against its refusal to employ Black or Asian drivers or conductors. After a 60-day boycott supported by thousands of Bristolians, the company revoked its colour bar.
Professor Jane Roscoe, Pro Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean for the ACE Faculty, said: “Education is a vehicle for changing lives. We are committed to ensuring that all people get access to Higher Education at UWE Bristol. We recognise that for some people the challenges they have faced in their lives may mean that they may not have seen Higher Education as an option for them. We hope that with these two bursaries we can start to change those perceptions and enable more people to continue their learning and make a difference to their lives.”
In return for both of the bursaries, students will be expected to produce a piece of project work advancing the Equality Diversity and Strategic Aims of the University.
Students from BAME backgrounds who are starting their studies at UWE Bristol in 2020 can apply for the Paul Stephenson bursary by contacting myra.evans@uwe.ac.uk. Applicants must be new undergraduate students to the Faculty of Arts, Creative Industries and Education. Applications close on 3 July.
Related news
![Representatives of nine regional institutions sign up to the new OurCity2030 partnership to combat inequality in Bristol](/-/media/uwe/images/news/uwe-supports-ourcity2030-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=F52F742EE0F22B8CEEF84BBC3B92D8B4)
05 April 2024
University joins new partnership to combat inequality
UWE Bristol has signed up to a ground-breaking agreement to address inequality and deprivation for Bristol’s low-income communities.
![Female school student holds a drone she is building as her male teacher shows her something she needs to work on. A laptop and tools are on the table. Students are in the background working on projects.](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/funding-female-apprenticeships-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=89274C333304F55805A711C5DCB77EA6)
18 January 2024
Funding awarded to UWE Bristol to boost female participation in engineering and construction industries
UWE Bristol will increase numbers of women on engineering and construction degree apprenticeship courses to address industry underrepresentation, supported by funding from the Office for Students (OfS).
![Wildlife Photographer of the Year Pietro Formis](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-pietro-formis-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=3F03081CA22D2469CCB959430AE9BC0B)
17 October 2023
UWE Bristol supports Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition as it returns to Bristol
The world-renowned exhibition, on loan from the Natural History Museum in London, opens at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery on Saturday 21 October.
![Three people working on a laptop computer](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/ex-offenders-enterprise-education-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=3C9E37C4020E04600F91A2E8E705575C)
15 August 2023
Former inmates to benefit from enterprise education course shown to reduce reoffending and boost employment
UWE Bristol has successfully secured funding from the City & Guilds Foundation to deliver enterprise education to previously incarcerated people.
![Recipients of UWE Bristol wildlife filmmaking scholarship 2023](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/wildlife-filmmaking-scholarship-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=7C9ED368C1B4E7DFF4185A47960BB266)
27 June 2023
BBC Studios Productions launch international wildlife filmmaking scholarships at UWE Bristol
BBC Studios Productions has launched a programme of fully-funded wildlife filmmaking scholarships for international students to undertake UWE Bristol’s Wildlife Filmmaking MA.
![University Civic Agreement](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/university-civic-agreement-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=5F4AAD8B940786A1FC4CC41F576E7CC3)
06 June 2023
University Civic Agreement for key organisations working together for Bristol
UWE Bristol, the University of Bristol, City of Bristol College, Bristol City Council, and the City Office have signed a Civic University Agreement.
![Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=2AA257D69FF91890F468FB9E9DBD62DE)
09 May 2023
Photography students and Bristol primary schools team up to explore the wonders of photography and the natural world
UWE Bristol students have been sharing their creative expertise with schoolchildren during workshops at the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.
![An event hosted by UWE Bristol inside the Engineering Building](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/news-cyber-security-events-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=D49B58B871F9635934878B977E4045EA)
28 June 2022
UWE Bristol hosts one of region's largest cyber security events to attract future talent
More than 300 young people, students aged 12 to 14, participated in hands-on activities at a Unlock Cyber Taster Day at Frenchay Campus.
![Two people sitting on floor of planetarium looking up at night sky display.](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/royal-academy-engineering-igenious-awards-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=53E2D765D13AD80C924713062C4C505E)
09 May 2022
Planetarium show awarded funding for public engagement project to inspire engineers of future
UWE Bristol’s We Make Our Future, an interactive planetarium show, is awarded a Royal Academy of Engineering Ingenious award for public engagement.
![UWE Bristol staff from the School of Engineering at the staff awards ceremony.](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/professor-wins-engineering-award-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=C3B7AB7DF25E93789E25D0887248A02E)
22 March 2022
UWE Bristol professor wins prestigious engineering award
UWE Bristol’s Head of Engineering Design and Mathematics, Professor Lisa Brodie, has been recognised for her work to increase diversity in engineering.
![Schoolchildren showing their teacher the photography hung in the gallery at their school.](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/new-generation-inspired-to-run-wild-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=DBE28630B9C0E82F2002E740743FDABE)
17 March 2022
Next generation inspired to run wild as part of intergenerational photography project
Primary school pupils in Bristol are taking part in bespoke photography workshops influenced by the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition.
![Group of pupils aged between 14 and 18 from across the West taking part in the summit at UWE Bristol.](/-/media/uwe/images/news/news-items/summit-sees-pupils-discuss-carbon-emission-reduction-plans-410x230.jpg?h=230&w=410&la=en&hash=1690E23B0089285CBC2488C1E1FE7F03)
14 October 2021
Summit organised by UWE Bristol sees pupils discuss carbon emission reduction plans
Young people discussed carbon emission cutting solutions with West of England policymakers at a summit organised by UWE Bristol engineering academics.