Celebrating Black History Month in the UK Higher Education Sector: Reflecting on Progress and Challenges

Black History Month, celebrated annually in the United Kingdom during October, provides a crucial opportunity to reflect on the achievements, contributions, and challenges faced by Black individuals throughout history. In the context of the Higher Education sector, this observance holds particular significance for universities. It offers a platform for institutions and the academy to not only celebrate the accomplishments of Black scholars but also to critically assess the progress made and the work that remains to be done in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. In this feature, we will explore the significance of this month in the UK Higher Education sector, the progress made, and the challenges that persist.

Black History Month serves as a poignant reminder of the historical injustices faced by Black individuals in education. From the Windrush generation’s struggles to gain access to educational opportunities to the underrepresentation – which the data indicates has worsened – of Black scholars and Professors in academia, there exists a long and sustained history of systemic discrimination. One need only to look at the widening attainment gap and outcomes disparity between black students and white students to recognise that student experience varies considerably. Acknowledging these injustices is the first step towards rectifying them, and Black History Month offers an annual platform for these often uncomfortable yet necessary conversations to take place.

While there is still much work to be done, in visibly marking Black History Month we also celebrate the accomplishments of Black scholars in the UK Higher Education sector. These are individuals who have made invaluable contributions to various fields, from Science and Technology to the Arts and Humanities. Institutions have a responsibility to highlight the achievements of Black academics, researchers, and students, not only during Black History Month but throughout the year, to inspire future generations, to examine and identify the colonial systems, structures and relationships, collectively working to challenge those systems and ultimately foster a more inclusive environment.

Following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, organisations across the UK and US pledged to enhance their support for Black communities. However, a cursory examination of these organisations’ diversity data underscores a glaring deficiency in the leadership needed to drive meaningful transformation. There is an urgent imperative to redress the dearth of Black leadership across all organisational echelons, both within and outside of the academic sector. 

One of the central goals of Black History Month in the Higher Education sector is to promote inclusivity and representation. Universities must actively work to diversify their faculties and student bodies to better reflect the diversity of society. This means creating an environment where Black students and staff feel welcome, valued, and supported. It also involves incorporating diverse perspectives into the curriculum and research agenda to ensure a more holistic and equitable education.

While progress has been made, the Higher Education sector in the UK still faces significant challenges in achieving equity for Black individuals. Disparities in access, attainment, and representation persist. The attainment gap, for example, remains a critical issue, with Black students almost invariably facing lower outcomes than their white counterparts. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach that includes targeted support, anti-racist policies, and a commitment to dismantling systemic barriers.

Assertions of being “not racist” are no longer insufficient. To genuinely combat systemic racism – the entrenched prejudice woven into the very fabric of institutions – it is imperative to consistently work towards equitable treatment of all races. This endeavour involves proactively dismantling racism in both an individual and systemic way, being comfortable in turning inwards, and examining why your organisation has not progressed or improved in Black representation and/or Black inclusion. The first step to this is in acknowledging that we have been raised and shaped by a society that prioritises white culture above others, and so embracing an anti-racist stance necessitates initially confronting these ingrained beliefs within yourself.

Finally, Black History Month highlights the importance of allyship in the Higher Education sector. Allies, both within and outside of the Black community, play a crucial role in advocating for change. White colleagues, academic leaders, administrators, and students can use this month as an opportunity to educate themselves about the experiences and challenges faced by their Black peers and actively support initiatives aimed at fostering inclusivity and equity.