Funding to explore the development needs of BME leaders

A project led by Open University Visiting Fellow Dr Fidèle Mutwarasibo, based in the Centre for Voluntary Sector Leadership (CVSL) in the Faculty of Business and Law, has received almost £10,000 to research the leadership capacities of Black and minority ethnic leaders in Milton Keynes (MK). Effective leadership is a critical challenge in ensuring adequate representation of marginalised communities in local civic leadership.

Through Dr Mutwarasibo's work, CVSL has established links with Thames Valley Police – Milton Keynes, MK Council, NHS Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning Group, MK Community Foundation and Community Action:MK, around building trusting relationships with Black and minority ethnic communities. This research will be conducted by Dr Mutwarasibo, working with Dr Carol Jacklin-Jarvis, Director of the Centre for Voluntary Sector Leadership and Professor Siv Vangen, Associate Dean for Research and Scholarship in FBL.

A vibrant BME voluntary sector is vital in promoting social cohesion in a diverse Milton Keynes. The project will assist in gaining insight into how leadership is understood and practised by BME leaders. Additionally, it will help identify the unmet leadership development needs that will be prioritised by CVSL’s research, learning and engagement offer.

Dr Fidèle Mutwarasibo Read about Dr Fidèle Mutwarasibo

The project is due to begin in early 2021 and plans to launch a report on findings by early summer.