New ‘immersive’ internship scheme by Kinneir Dufort prepares ethnic minority university students for employment
At the end of a challenging academic year, a new, fully-funded, flexible internship programme for undergraduates and post-graduates from ethnic minority communities launches. Devised by leading innovation and product development consultancy, Kinneir Dufort (KD), the six-month Ethnic Diversity Excellence programme opens to applicants on Monday 10 June with a free Q&A webinar for candidates.
Participants will be able to ask questions about the scheme, which is in its pilot year, and meet the programme’s council members, who are experts from ethnic minority backgrounds, working for Astrazenca, No7 Beauty Company, FluoretiQ, LettUs Grow and Reckitt. They talk about their own early career experiences and the need for diversity in the Excellence programme introductory video.
Sophie Patel, research prototyping packaging manager for No 7 Beauty Company explains: "When I think about the time I was leaving university, and thinking about pursuing my own industrial design career I shied away from it, I'll be honest. I just didn't think that i belonged in the design world."
Parminder Bansal, a project leader at AstraZeneca says: "The more people from different ethnic backgrounds that come and work in our industry, the more we'll be able to finally say that products are truly designed for everyone."
Temi Odanye, a mechanical engineer and product development lead at LettUs Grow, adds: "Ethnic diversity is vital within the design and engineering industries these industries shape the world around us, from the products we use, to our healthcare, our cities, our food, our transport and our homes."
Led by KD’s Head of Portfolio Management, Sunny Panesar, the programme aims to address the lack of ethnic diversity in KD and the wider product design industry by equipping interns with skills and knowledge, with a focus on their final year projects.
Students must be finishing their courses in summer 2022 and studying engineering, innovation and product design. Applications will be selected based on the strength of plans for their projects and alignment with the programme’s values. Placements begin in September.
As well as mentoring by KD and further development opportunities with council member companies, each intern receives £2,000 and up to an additional £1,000 per person for travel and accommodation, enabling them to visit Bristol where KD is based.
KD will also support interns with best practise in skills including CV writing, applying for jobs, asking about diversity in interviews, networking, and finding opportunities through their connections.
Sunny says: “Having often been the only person of colour in the room throughout my career, I know how important it is for ethnic minority students to have this incredible opportunity. Our aim is to help them overcome complex systemic barriers holding them back at the start of their careers, such as a lack of existing professional networks, funds for commuting or relocation, and feelings of marginalisation.
“That is why we want to give interns a high-quality experience which is immersive and potentially life-changing; they will learn and develop within an exciting and unique industry environment. We encourage students from around the UK to join our webinar and we are very excited to see their applications.”
Candidates need to submit a CV and short video explaining why they want to be selected by Wednesday 30 June. Successful interns will be announced by Friday 6 August.
The programme has been developed with input from the council members and students from ten universities. However, students from any university can apply.
Ebony Stephenson, 22, is an engineering design student at the University of Bristol, a secretary of its Black Engineers Society, and one of the students providing input for the development of the scheme.
Ebony comments: “The Ethnic Diversity Excellence scheme is a fantastic opportunity to gain experience within the design industry. As a Black woman in engineering, I have seen a severe lack in diversity both at university and industry level.
“Entering a field where you don't see yourself represented can be quite daunting. However, just because there is a lack, it doesn't always mean that change is not wanted! Schemes such as this, where you are chosen based on merit but supported because of your disadvantage, are invaluable. I would encourage Black and minority students to apply!”
President of the Black Engineers Society, Eilleen Atieno, 27, PhD Advanced Composites and MEng Aerospace Engineering, adds: ""As a Black woman who’s navigated an undergraduate engineering degree, where I was the sole Black student, I understand the difficulties and challenges one can be faced with. The microaggressions and shock of my presence within the engineering industry is something that’s been difficult to navigate."
As part of the programme, the interns will be asked to collaborate with KD to raise awareness of the programme in schools and universities, and of potential career paths in the industry for people of colour.
Professor Steve Eichhorn at the school of civil, aerospace and mechanical engineering at the University of Bristol, explains: “It’s really important for engineering that we recruit a diverse team from different ethnic backgrounds. For far too long teams have been largely white, like me, which results in designs that are not for everyone. These scholarships are one way of helping to push the needle towards a more diverse ethnicity of our design teams, and seeing that as a strength in our global industry.”
Students can sign up to the webinar, watch the video and find further details on the KD website: kinneirdufort.com/the-ethnic-diversity-excellence-programme.
The Ethnic Diversity Excellence programme follows KD’s launch of XXEquals – the UK’s first female-led product design initiative developing products for women – earlier this year.
Editors notes
For media requests and enquiries, please contact PR consultant, Elma Glasgow: hello@elmaglasgowconsulting.com or 07738004670.
Sunny Panesar and council members are available to comment on a range of topics including:
How they overcame barriers to build successful careers.
Advice to their younger selves as graduates.
The changes employers can make changes to recruit more entry level people of colour.
Advice for universities on how to improve employability for graduates from minority ethnic and heritage communities.
Product industry-focused stories.
About Kinneir Dufort (KD)
Based in Bristol, UK, KD is a world-leading, user-centred innovation and product development consultancy, which focuses on designing a better world, creating value through tomorrow’s products and experiences. KD combines expertise in Design, Technology and User Experience to help progressive and ambitious companies deliver successful new products and brand experiences globally for medical, consumer and industrial clients.
The agency specialises in industrial design, research, electronics and software, graphic design, prototyping, innovation, product design, packaging design, brand strategy, digital experience, human factors, engineering, and model making. Its recent awards include the Red Dot Product Design Award 2019, iF Design Award 2019 and The Good Design Award 2020 in partnership with the advanced prosthetic specialist Össur, for the RHEO KNEE XC.
KD has partnerships with Kerning the Gap, the Design Business Association (DBA), Babbasa, Frank Water, and The Big Bang Fair.
KD has a podcast – KD Conversations – and a yearly magazine, Focus, which showcases articles written by our experts on the latest hot topics, news and trends affecting brands and businesses. Insights and news are shared frequently on KD’s website.
KD’s management team is 50% female, and the broader team is now more than 40% female. XXEquals has a team of 75% women (and 100% female design allies).
For further information please contact:
Kinneir Dufort EDE
hello@elmaglasgowconsulting.com
kinneirdufort.com