Read on Twitter
I follow a long line of scholars who have tried to raise awareness over inequality & the marginalisation of Black Women in HE & research. In 1982 (3 years after my birth) Carrol wrote about how "Black women in higher education are isolated, underutilized and often demoralised"
Let's look at some of the most recent data we have, and see where we are now in the UK after decades of consistent and dedicated activism by women of incredible intellect and resilience. Brace yourself
In 2018 - 2019, according to HESA 81.4% of staff on full-time permanent research contracts were white, 31.6% were white women, just 1.3% Were Black (or Afro-Caribbean Mixed-heritage) women.
In 2019 Dr @NicolaRollock highlighted that from 19,285 there were just 35 Black women in the UK. That's 0.0018%. https://www.ucu.org.uk/media/10075/Staying-Power/pdf/UCU_Rollock_February_2019.pdf
In 2018 - 2019 the UK's largest research funder, which umbrellas the 9 research councils spent nearly £8 Billion pounds. There were over 4,700 research awards made. 10 went to Black academic leads. The number of awards going to Black women is unknown.
Among 250 fellowships awarded, across 9 research councils, the number of awards given to Black women is unknown. This is due to data supresssion as the number is so low (between 4 and 0)
In 2020, the full data is not yet available to assess the allocation of research funding. We do however know that in this year an award of £4.3 million, £0 went to Black academics.
In 2021 things improved slightly, as a Black woman was PI leading a research consortium. She was funded £2 million to explore practices for Wellbeing and Resilience in Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Families and Communities. https://www.ukri.org/news/researching-factors-affecting-ethnic-minority-groups-during-covid-19/
This year commitments to inclusion and equity fell flat as the @beisgovuk invited 0 Black individuals to be part of the Governments R&D People and Culture Strategy Steering Group which, will advise upon things such as, overcoming the research culture that excludes Black academics
@UKRI_CEO sits upon the steering group and we hope that she will act to ensure that Black academics / Black women are not again excluded, marginalised, erased. However, decades on from Carolls original quote and I don't have much faith for words of change.
I am fearful for the year ahead. It is going to be exceptionally challenging in the UK for everyone and the situation for those who are already marginalised will probably become worse. Research plays a vital part in informing decision making, shaping policy and shaping lives.
It is critical that we eliminate bias and discrimination in the allocation of research funding, so we can ensure the fair and equitable creation of knowledge. It has been suggested that I am trying to create a separate space for Black women. This is not what I want
I believe in solidarity, I've always tried to raise the specific challenges that Black women face within the existing space & wider debates. I'll never stop highlighting BW issues, but I do not marginalise the discrimination faced by other individuals, or deny intersectionality
The time is critical, the research sector is currently being re-landscaped at a time when we are encountering unprecedented challenges as a society. All those in HE & research must ensure that changes don't happen without critical reflection, debate and accountability
