SEA-UK Gender Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity (GEDI) Challenge Grant

Grant to fund collaborative projects between higher education institutions in South East Asia and the UK which support gender equity, diversity and inclusivity in higher education. 

The British Council is a British organisation specialising in international, cultural and educational opportunities. It works in over 100 countries, promoting a wider knowledge of the United Kingdom and the English language, whilst encouraging cultural, scientific, technological and educational cooperation with the United Kingdom. 

The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) is a regional centre based in Thailand, specialising in higher education and development in South East Asia. The organisation was founded from the Regional Institute for Higher Education Development (RIHED). 

British Council and SEAMEO RIHED are jointly introducing the SEA-UK Gender Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity (GEDI) Challenge Grant. The project was launched as part of the second phase of the Strengthening Leadership with Gender Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity in Higher Education Institutions in Southeast Asia project.

The Challenge Grant offers an opportunity to support collaborative research of GEDI between higher education institutions (HEIs) in South East Asia and the UK. The aim of the initiative is to address GEDI-related issues in HEIs across South East Asia, fostering evidence-based decision-making for a sustainable future in higher education and establishing a cross-cultural GEDI network between UK and South East Asia.

The project has the following objectives:

• Develop a framework and gender disaggregated data for measuring GEDI progress in the region.
• Comparative reviews and analysis of GEDI policies on national and institutional levels.
• Integrate GEDI into curricula and learning.
• Enhance community engagement to amplify the impact of GEDI in HEIs.
• Support pathways for career progression and leadership of women, diverse genders, ethnicities, abilities and backgrounds in higher education.

British Council and SEAMEO RIHED have launched an open call for collaborative projects between HEIs in South East Asia and the UK which support their objectives in GEDI areas. Applicants are encouraged to design unique projects. However, research activities may include the following:

• Document and policy analysis (eg reviewing institutional policies, curricula etc).
• Conducting surveys and questionnaires.
• Conducting interviews and focus group discussions.
• Narrative studies.
• Campus climate surveys, which are tools for senior leaders and campus administrators to better understand perceptions, attitudes and experiences related to the campus environment, such as inclusivity, diversity, safety and overall well-being.
• Access and safety audits.