Three University of Birmingham students researching housing and COVID-19 to be supported with Jane Slowey Memorial Bursary 2021
Commonweal Housing is proud to present three more students from the University of Birmingham’s School of Social Policy with a bursary, in memory of our late trustee and friend, Jane Slowey CBE.
Michelle Anderson, Seerut Ladhar and Ofure Osebor will each receive a bursary of £2,500 to support their final year dissertation research, as well as informal mentoring and support from Commonweal throughout their last year of undergraduate study.
Since 2018, the bursary has been granted to students at Jane’s alma mater in memory of her dedication to helping others. Jane’s influence on Commonweal’s ethos and mission, and her visionary approach to tackling social injustice, have continued to be felt throughout the organisation since her passing in 2017.
Michelle, a 21-year-old Criminology undergraduate, will be researching the disproportionate effects of COVID-19 on young people with poor housing situations. Seerut’s Sociology dissertation will focus on the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of BAME Women and BAME University students. BA Policy, Politics and Economics student Ofure will study how working within the informal economy impacts one’s access to reliable housing.
Michelle said, “As an awardee this is not just about financial assistance for my final year but a real opportunity to honour the memory of Jane Slowey.”
“As an aspiring social worker and someone who has struggled with housing as a young independent woman, this award and Commonweal mentoring will assist my research to a higher calibre. When I present to Commonweal Housing next year I hope I can make an impact not just to the panel but to the wider field and into my career as I look to help young individuals just as Jane Slowey did.”
Seerut said, “I am incredibly grateful to have received such a highly prestigious award by Commonweal Housing.”
“The Jane Slowey Bursary will be an asset to my final year dissertation, allowing me with the means to investigate in-depth areas of research in the most competent and successful manner. I am confident that the contribution from Commonweal Housing will result in a positive impact on those who were neglected and overlooked during/post lockdowns and raise awareness for future.”
Ofure said, “I am extremely excited and honoured to be awarded the Jane Slowey Memorial Bursary; this opportunity will help me produce high quality research that could potentially support marginalised members of our society by offering solutions that could help improve housing policies.”
“Receiving support from Commonweal Housing, both financial and through mentoring, will also help me reach my full potential when carrying out my dissertation which is something that I am very grateful for. I am delighted to be beginning my journey with Commonweal.”
The three recipients will be invited to present their research to a select group of Commonweal’s friends, staff, Trustees and members of Jane Slowey’s immediate family, at a celebration event in summer 2022.
To find out more about the bursary, visit the University of Birmingham’s website.