The University of Westminster has hosted the first Holding the Space: Shining a Light on Black Academics conference, a landmark event dedicated to amplifying the voices, research and lived experiences of Black academics, students and professional services colleagues in higher education. The conference brought together a dynamic cohort of speakers, delegates and advocates for racial equality to address pressing issues and foster collaboration for systemic change.
Organised by Dr Yaz Osho, Principal Lecturer and Director of Academic Professional Development at Westminster’s Centre for Education and Teaching Innovation (CETI), with support from Westminster’s EDI programme, CETI, GEMWA and Black Academic Consultancy, the conference was a direct response to the underrepresentation of Black academics in leadership roles and ongoing inequalities faced by Black students. Dr Osho opened the event alongside Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Peter Bonfield and Deputy Vice–Chancellor for Global Engagement and Employability Professor Dibyesh Anand, who highlighted the significance of creating spaces for dialogue to inspire transformation within the sector.
Dr Deborah Husbands, Reader in Psychology at the University of Westminster, followed with a keynote address to all attendees. She shared some of the challenges and triumphs of her journey into and through higher education and highlighted how she has worked to balance the demands of representation with the importance of self-care. She also discussed the burden of extra responsibilities often placed on Black women in academia, referred to as cultural taxation. These tasks, though presented as valuable to the organisation, tend to involve additional, lower profile duties that do not contribute to career advancement.
Throughout the event there were a diverse range of sessions and panels that explored the challenges and opportunities for Black academics. They covered a range of themes including teaching approaches that challenge unfair systems, intersectionality and identity and career progression. The discussions delved into the experiences of Black academics navigating academia, the transformative potential of education to promote social justice and how to overcome barriers. The conference also featured poster presentations that showcased innovative research on racial equity, cultural identity and education.
In her closing keynote, Dr Melanie-Marie Haywood, Director of Education Development Service at Birmingham City University, explored the complexities of self and community care in the context of systemic racism, offering a message of hope and resilience.
The event concluded with a musical performance by Music Production, Performance and Business BA Honours student Joel Marquis-Kumba, leaving attendees inspired to continue the vital work of transforming academia.
Dr Deborah Husbands said: “The conference was the first of its kind at the University. Despite the variety of talks, panels and paper presentations, themes were consistent across the event and attendees spoke bravely about the challenges of holding particularised intersections in academia. I look forward to seeing the impact this population of racially minoritised researchers and, in particular, Black women will have on academia and convey my congratulations to Dr Yaz Osho and Paula Cadenhead for organising such a successful event!”
Dr Yaz Osho added: “Holding the Space was an unprecedented conference that touched attendees, allowing spaces for learning and for some healing. Black scholars and students were able to share their research, stories and lived experiences and network with academics from across the UK – making it not just a Westminster event but a national conference. We must continue to hold the space – it has been proven that it is very much needed.”
This event directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10: Reduced Inequalities. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Find out more information about Westminster’s Black History Year initiative.
Photo credit: Takiyah Muhammad
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