Inequality (inequity), a lack of diversity, and a lack of inclusion is a recognised problem in the UK HEI sector. This is especially noticeable amongst postgraduate research students. The problems span several characteristics (e.g. gender, age, and disability), but there has been a particular focus recently on ethnicity, race and alma mater (where their previous degree was awarded from).
How we're trying to help
Equal Representation in Academia (ERA) is an initiative which aims to raise awareness of academic research careers for students from statistically underrepresented backgrounds and thereby facilitate the academic career path for those wanting to follow this route. ERA is open to undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds, on any degree programme.
ERA is an independent initiative founded by alumnus Dr Mohani-Preet Kaur Dhillon, and piloted at City St George’s, School of Health & Medical Sciences. ERA is part of the social enterprise, Ektaa CIC (translated as Unity in the Punjabi language), which works with organisations to retain diverse talent. The ERA programme is now being rolled out across universities worldwide.
The ERA programme is run by EKTAA. EKTAA work to create an inclusive environment for all and improve the representation of different backgrounds within organisations, thus retaining diverse talent.
What we offer
Through ERA we offer:
- work shadowing research placements with a travel stipend. Students who are undecided about a career in academia can shadow a research group to understand the day-to-day life of members instrumental to the scientific process such as postgraduate students, postdoctoral fellows, laboratory technicians, lab principal investigators (PIs), professors etc.
- funded research studentships for final year students who want to pursue a career in academia, to gain hands-on laboratory experience. Students design and conduct a research project and produce either a conference submission or journal article to evidence this work.
- mentoring, networking and bespoke careers sessions in collaboration with the University of London careers advisors
- engagement with the community to showcase some of the work that scientists do and to highlight the vital contribution of academia to life (e.g. the development of life-saving vaccine treatment for the Covid-19 pandemic).
Apply for a 2026 ERA Research Internship
We currently have work shadowing and studentship opportunities available via ERA at City St George's, University of London. Find out more about each of these including how to apply, by clicking the headings below.
2-week work shadowing placements
2-week work shadowing placements for students who are not in their final year: provide the opportunity to gain a valuable insight into academic research careers.
The placements are like a “try before you buy” experience. You will shadow a research group to understand the day-to-day life of members instrumental to the scientific process, including but not limited to postgraduate students, postdoctoral fellows, laboratory technicians, lab principal investigators, and professors.
This will give you the opportunity to observe the different careers on offer in research and to develop a research network. You may also be involved in the group’s research practices (e.g., conducting experiments). You will experience academic activities from grant writing to writing manuscripts (in some instances), and you will work personally with a careers advisor to build your CV.
8-week studentships for final year students
8-week studentships for final year students: provide the opportunity to gain hands on practical research experience. You will be able to design a project with a supervisor of your choosing and write a research proposal.
The work you conduct during this studentship will contribute towards research output e.g., a research paper, conference submission and/or internal presentation.
This is an opportunity for you to grow your research interest, gain valuable research experience and cultivate your research network.
Additional Information about the ERA Research Internships
Eligibility
ERA is a targeted initiative informed by institutional and sector-wide data on access, progression, and representation in research and academic pathways. The programme is supported through research culture and access and participation funding, and is therefore open to undergraduate students at City St George’s, University of London who meet one or more of the eligibility criteria set out below.
You are eligible to apply if you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- you receive a university grant/bursary
- you are registered with the Disability Service
- you are from a global majority and/or ethnic minority background
Timeline
The placements will take place between June – September 2026. If successful, you will agree on a start date with your supervisor, unless a specific start date is stated on the application form.
Award
You will receive a stipend on par with Wellcome Trust Internships (£250 per week). The host laboratory will also be provided with funding to cover the cost of consumables for your project and/or research output. Please note that this is a very competitive process.
How to apply
Complete the e-form on this page.
Please complete the e-form. All submissions will be reviewed for the use of generative AI. As this is a highly competitive process, we encourage you to submit an original and authentic application to maximise your chances of success.
You should only apply for one project. If shortlisted, we can discuss if you have any other preferences.
Deadline for e-application: 06/05/2026 at 5pm.
Interviews will take place onsite on the following days:
- 28/05/26
- 29/05/26
- 01/06/2026*
*We are offering an additional date of 01-06-26 for students who cannot make the 28 and 29 due to exams. Please ensure you are available on at least one of these three dates.
If you require help, please use the contact function below.
How you are marked
ERA is a supportive programme designed to recognise potential, motivation, and interest in research. We assess applications with this in mind, using the application form and interview rather than previous academic performance.
As we usually receive a high volume of applications, it is important to reflect on how you can make your application stand out.
Your response should:
- address the question directly
- reflect your own thinking and perspective
- draw on examples from your own experiences, where helpful
- be creative in how you communicate your ideas
- in Section 4, consider the needs of different stakeholders, including students, researchers, and the public, and how your message may need to differ for each audience
We are not assessing professional production quality. We are more interested in how you convey your perspective.
To support a fair process, each application will be reviewed by four markers. A shortlist of applicants will then be invited to a short, informal interview before final decisions are made.
ERA aims to support as many students as possible each year and is committed to widening access to research opportunities. The final number of internships available will depend on the funding we receive.
Authenticity
You may use tools to help you plan your response, but your overall submission should be in your own words and must reflect your own ideas. If invited to interview, you may be asked to discuss your submission further.
Projects
Project 1. Understanding the role of antibody measurement in maternal and paediatric infectious disease research
- Primary supervisor: Tom Hall
- Site: City St George’s University of London, Tooting campus
- Project type: 2-week internship
- More information: The aim of the 2-week placement is to gain laboratory experience in antibody analysis, including observing and gaining hands-on experience of ELISA and Luminex assays, and understanding how these techniques are used to explore maternal and paediatric infectious disease immunology and support vaccine development and licensure. The placement student will also gain insight into different academic roles by observing how technicians, academics and project managers work together to complete translational research projects. The student will have opportunities to work with the laboratory manager and research scientists, and speak with clinical study managers and clinical fellows to gain a broad understanding of roles within an academic group.
Project 2. Reflective practice with the physician associate team
- Primary supervisor: Dr Mathavi Vijikanendra
- Site: City St George’s University of London, Tooting campus
- Project type: 2-week internship
- Dates: 8 June to 19 June OR 15 June to 26 June
- More information: This placement will provide the student with an opportunity to review their options after finishing their undergraduate course. The focus will be on observing the faculty and elements of the Master's in Physician Associate course. As part of personal reflection, there will also be a day in the lab where students can observe a variety of clinical diagnostic laboratories including clinical chemistry, haematology, immunology, PRU, microbiology, virology and histopathology. There may also be opportunities to discuss the Master's in Physician Associate Studies and Advanced Care Practice courses with course directors and take part in ongoing research.
Project 3. An investigation into the role of thymidine phosphorylase in mitochondrial protein import
- Primary supervisor: Dr Bridget Bax
- Site: City St George’s University of London, Tooting campus
- Project type: 2 × 2-week internships
- More information: Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalopathy (MNGIE) is caused by pathological mutations in the nuclear TYMP gene, leading to thymidine phosphorylase deficiency and mitochondrial failure. We have discovered that thymidine phosphorylase interacts with TOM40, a protein essential for importing proteins into mitochondria. This project aims to explore whether this interaction is essential for protein import into mitochondria. Findings may provide insight into how molecular defects in MNGIE cause mitochondrial failure. The project will involve cell culture techniques, confocal microscopy, genetic manipulation of cells to knock out the TYMP gene, and gene expression studies.
Project 4. Compare alpha- v. beta-adrenergic agonists in the development of cardiac dysfunction in zebrafish
- Primary supervisor: Dr Daniel Meijles
- Site: City St George’s University of London, Tooting campus
- Project type: 2-week OR 8-week
- More information: Current literature shows that isoprenaline causes cardiac dysfunction and damage, with preliminary findings from the lab showing how this damage progresses in embryos. However, less is known about the effects of phenylephrine in cardiac remodelling. Students will undertake an in vivo project using zebrafish to explore cardiac function and remodelling.
Project 5. Can anti-fibrotic drugs prevent lung damage after Tuberculosis?
- Primary supervisor: Dr Deborah Chong
- Site: City St George’s University of London, Tooting campus
- Project type: 2-week internship
- More information: This project focuses on understanding how Tuberculosis (TB) causes permanent lung scarring. Using cellular models of TB-induced lung damage, researchers have identified that lung cells express a protein called LRG1 that drives fibrosis. The project investigates whether existing anti-fibrotic drugs used in other chronic lung diseases can also prevent TB-induced fibrosis. Students will gain hands-on experience in cell culture and microscopy while contributing to translational medicine research.
Project 6. Assessment of cell senescence induced by ultraviolet radiation (observation and participation)
- Primary supervisor: Dr Gina Abdelaal and Prof Dot Bennett
- Site: City St George’s University of London, Tooting campus
- Project type: 2-week internship
- Timing: Last two weeks of July 2026
- More information: This project explores DNA damage and cell senescence in normal human melanocytes exposed to UVB radiation. Students will observe and participate in experiments measuring senescence markers using qPCR and may help design qPCR primers. The project contributes to melanoma skin cancer research and understanding the molecular regulation of senescence.
Project 7. Neuropsychiatric symptoms in people with Parkinson’s disease: impact on quality of life
- Primary supervisor: Dr Lucia Ricciardi
- Site: City St George’s University of London, Tooting campus, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience
- Project type: 2-week internship
- Additional information: Supervisor unavailable between 20 July and 30 August 2026
- More information: Students will work with patients who have undergone deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery and analyse brain connectivity using EEG data. The project aims to understand how DBS affects neural networks and brain function. Experience will include working with clinical populations, handling clinical data, and conducting neuropsychological assessments.
Project 8. Producing cancer therapeutic drugs in tobacco plants
- Primary supervisor: Dr Audrey Teh
- Site: City St George’s University of London, Tooting campus
- Project type: 2-week internship
- More information: Students will work on expressing and producing immune checkpoint inhibitors from tobacco plants to create cost-effective cancer therapeutics. Techniques include PCR, gel electrophoresis, DNA transformation, plant molecular cloning and flow cytometry.
Hear from ERA participants
Lien
Lien took part in one of 4 pilot work shadowing placements at City St George's as part of the ERA initiative.
Maya
"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 CSGUL.
"It was extremely inspirational and encouraging having my PI, Dr Andoulla Elia, other clinicians and research students share their knowledge and journeys of their career paths which made it clear with support, opportunities, hard work and dedication those of us from ethnic minorities can achieve similar career paths.
"Be confident, be bold and never doubt your abilities in pursuing a career you are passionate about."
"The members of the research and academia team were an absolute pleasure to work with, they were extremely welcoming and supportive throughout.
"I would highly recommend this placement to my fellow peers from ethnic backgrounds interested in research and academia to take the plunge and apply, it will most definitely enhance your student experience. "
Hear more from Maya in the video below.
Javeria Nishtar
“ERA has enabled me to gain essential skills, from lab techniques to how to write an effective paper, and presentation skills. The programme has made me challenge myself, and helped me understand what I do, and don’t, want to do in the future. It has definitely given me more clarity on what a career in academia would look like and the many steps towards it!”
Reflecting on why she applied for ERA, she adds: “When I entered my first university lecture, surrounded by faces from different cultures and countries, I was six thousand miles from home. I didn't feel as though this diversity translated to the teaching staff at City St George’s (Tooting campus).
“Through my education, I’ve learned how important it is to see role models that look like you, come from similar backgrounds, or have stories we can relate to. I had hopes to become a professor someday, and to get more women from underrepresented backgrounds interested in the world of science.
“I also wanted help make science accessible to those who didn’t study or work in the field, because published research is not always communicated to the general public in a way that makes it accessible. It can be difficult for someone without a background in STEM to understand research presented without context - something which can contribute to misinformation among the public.
“I hope to open a wider conversation, and to work on a publication with pieces which interest a wider range of audiences. I wanted ERA to be a stepping stone in achieving my goals, as well as a way to make science more accessible for people all over the world.”
You can read more about Javeria's experience on the programme here.
Samia Islam Tajbiha
"If you're thinking about taking the ERA placement, stop thinking about it and just apply!
"My placement taught me so much about being a scientist, being a doctor and the ability to be both at the same time.
"You learn so much about the world of science, things you were confused about and things you never even knew about before. You get a hands-on experience doing practicals all day, in a comforting and supportive environment where you can ask about the different jobs you can pursue, gaining a real human view on being a scientist and also developing relationships with the amazing City St George's researchers that you don't usually get to know during university.
"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. Advocacy is a virtue valued by those in need of equity, and by taking part in this placement, you can advocate for the need of academia representation in the world of research and bring to light its importance in our society!"
MPAS & equal representation in research and academia (ERA) placement
MPAS hosted one of City St George’s equal representation in research and academia (ERA) placement in 2024. Read about achievements and reflections here.
More information
Dr Mohani-Preet Kaur Dhillon, now a Lecturer in Interdisciplinary Research & Education at CSGUL, is the founder of ERA and Director of Ektaa CIC.
Mohani is working closely with the Deputy Head and Head of CSGUL Graduate School Dr. Mark Bodman-Smith and Dr. Carwyn Hooper and the Dean for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Dr. Vanessa Ho, to improve Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and Widening Participation (WP) at CSGUL.
If you would like to get involved in ERA or want more information, please get in touch:
- Dr Mohani-Preet Kaur Dhillon: mdhillon@citystgeorges.ac.uk
Or you can follow us on social media or see us via our YouTube channel:
- Twitter: Equal_R_Acad
- Instagram: eqr.academia
- YouTube: Equal Representation in Academia (ERA).