1/15) @UKRI_News published a detailed ethnicity report today. It highlights that less than 1% of fellows are from the Black ethnic group; and that Black Principal Investigators (PI) account for less than 1% of PIs https://twitter.com/UKRI_News/status/1338804370398392320

2/15) We have seen time and time again how Black academics are marginalised in academia and research. Like this summer when £0 from £4.3 Million went to Black academic PIs. Something which prompted 10 Black women to write an open letter to UKRI this summer https://knowledgeispower.live/about/ 

3/15) We held the equity event and I and a couple of colleagues met with UKRI in October. A full paper on what happened before, during and after will be released next week. We have tried to make sure the account is fair and accurate. @UKRI_News will also be responding shortly.

4/15) I'm encouraged by the discussion we had, and I do believe there is genuine good faith and intent. But there is a lot of work that needs to happen and Black academics have been frequently let down in the past by promises of action. So we are wait hope but also scepticism

5/15) The reality is the support Black academics receive is not reflective of the attention the discussion gets. Today’s report from @UKRI_News is further evidence of what we already knew. There is a substantive and unjust challenge encountered by Black academics / researchers

6/15) We're not interested in creating hierarchies of oppression, but we need to stop framing inequality in HE / research as a BAME problem as this masks the extent of discrimination faced by Black academics. Find solidarity in recognition of difference

7/15) It is of great concern that @UKRI_News data highlights the exceptional marginalisation of Black British academics who are at the very bottom of this scheme. Even after completing a PhD, many Black British academics cannot professionally survive the discrimination in HE.

8/15) Addressing this inequity will take years of complex work, but we have to move away from saviourism as an approach & allow Black academics to lead on the issues that affect their own lives & communities. Black academics & Black experts in race/inclusion must lead the work.

9/15) I believe that researchers and allies need to take the hard, but ethical decision, to actively step back and to pass the mic to those who are most affected. I am particularly concerned about applications to this fund https://www.officeforstudents.org.uk/publications/improving-access-and-participation-for-minority-ethnic-groups-in-pgr-study/

10/15) I'm speaking today of Black academics, but its a principle that I believe in across the board. Research & EDI work on marginalised communities should be led by individuals from that community (race, disability, LGBTQ+ issues etc). Nothing about us without us!

11/15) For change to happen, the most significant action that can be taken is for everyone to look internally at your own personal and organisational actions. This problem has not been caused by a lack of capacity or weakness of Black individuals.

12/15) I know this because I frequently engage with the most brilliant, talented and qualified Black academics. We do need more to come through the PhD pipeline, but it is infuriating when people claim we don't exist. So many of us are here and struggling to survive.

13/15) We survive on zero-hour and temporary contracts in universities; we survive job precarity, and the lucky few on full-time perm contracts survive the general hostility of HE and research funding discrimination. Our work is over-looked or not acknowledged at all.

14/15) I personally choose to leave full-time academia and sit now on the margins. There are so many Black PhDs who faced discrimination and poor job opportunity / career progression oppunities who choose to do the same. we are here - we do exist! https://twitter.com/i/lists/1291694773338869761

15/15) I'll say it again less than 1% - the research and HE sector need to face our reality, the hostility and discrimination that makes the UK have some of the worst global statistics (even behind the US). Thank you @UKRI_News for honest disclosure. The work needs to start now!