CAREERS is a UK-wide collaboration working to transform access to environmental careers for people of colour. In our pilot phase, we are using citizen science and inclusive fieldwork to identify barriers that limit participation in ecology, conservation, and environmental research.
Through co-designing solutions with students, practitioners, and universities, we will build the evidence, partnerships, and momentum needed to scale up what works and create lasting change across the sector.
YCEDE co-leads CAREERS, bringing deep expertise in widening participation and equitable research training.
UKTEPOP co-leads CAREERS, connecting 16 environmental & government organisations to share evidence and accelerate impact.
Together, we work with 30+ partners across higher education, conservation NGOs, government departments and citizen science schemes.
We are working to transform one of the UK environmental sector’s most urgent challenges: the persistent underrepresentation of people of colour.
CAREERS tackles these disparities by co-designing impactful, evidence-based solutions with students, academics, and practitioners—testing what works and building pathways for equitable access into environmental science.
CAREERS is changing this by co-designing and delivering practical solutions with students of colour, environmental practitioners, and academic partners.
Our initial focus is on four Yorkshire cities — Bradford, Leeds, Sheffield, and York — where we have strong community and university links. Our partners’ reach extends nationwide, providing a platform for scaling up.
CAREERS launched in July 2025 with support from the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). Phase 1 runs until March 2026, piloting activities and evaluating what works. Insights from this phase will inform future activities nationally.
The environmental workforce must reflect the diversity of the UK to be effective, inclusive, and innovative. Without action, we risk excluding the talent, perspectives, and lived experiences needed to solve complex environmental challenges. CAREERS is committed to addressing these inequities, starting with student experiences of citizen science and fieldwork.
Co-creation: We design our activities with, not for, the students and communities we serve.
Evidence-based: We combine academic research, practitioner expertise, and lived experience to develop practical, scalable solutions.
Partnership-driven: By bringing together universities, NGOs, and government bodies, we create lasting pathways into environmental careers.
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Department of Environment and Geography
University of York
Heslington
York
YO10 5NG
This project is supported by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) as part of its commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion in environmental research.
Note: We use the terms People of Colour and Students of Colour respectfully, while recognising the limitations and complexities of these terms. We value the importance of acknowledging, respecting, and celebrating the cultural and ethnic identities of individuals within the broad categories they describe.