Humbled to be chairing a defining conversation at the Society of Black Academics (SBA) Conference.
*PANEL: Leading the Future*
What kind of leadership will tomorrow’s universities, institutions, and society need?
Leadership is no longer simply about holding position. It is about having the courage to redesign the very structures we inherit.
At a time when higher education and wider society are being forced to confront profound questions about equity, purpose, power and representation, this conversation sits at the heart of what must change — and who must lead that change.
It is a privilege to chair this vital discussion alongside three truly exceptional leaders whose work and lived experience embody the future of leadership:
*Professor Nigel Williams* – Professor of Responsible Project and Systems Management and Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation, University of Portsmouth
* I. Stephanie Boyce CBE FKC* – Former President of the Law Society of England and Wales and Deputy Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire
*Joyce Fraser OBE* – Founder and Chair of the Black Heroes Foundation
This will be far more than a panel discussion. It will be a living, rigorous and honest dialogue. We will explore the qualities and character that future leadership demands, the personal journeys that forge resilient leaders, the systemic barriers that persist, and how we intentionally recreate spaces where Black Professors and scholars can flourish.
Crucially, we will confront the radical and strategic actions required to accelerate representation and inclusion within Higher Education and beyond — not as an aspiration, but as an imperative.
For those attending, the Society of Black Academics looks forward to welcoming you on *15th September at the University of Bath* for what promises to be a conference to remember.
