Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is an important part of our sustainability journey. A place for education like the Higher Education system would be expected to encourage and harness EDI. However, the work of the Society of Black Academics and research surveys highlights the struggles Black Academics and other minorities face through the selection, integration and promotion process within UK universities, with very few Black Academic excelling to Professorship.
The number of Black Professors in the UK Higher Education institutions has increased over the years (Independent 2023), with an increase of 27% between 2021-2022 and 2022-23 according to data published by the Higher Education Statistic Agency (Hesa) in January 2024. Notwithstanding, Black professors merely account for 1% of all professional staff in UK Higher Education, with 165 out of 22,3456 professors identifying as ‘Black’ (Parr 2024). The statistics, lets say speak for themselves! Clearly within the UK Higher Education system there is something brewing between entry and senior promotion.
The Society of Black academics (SBA) Movement
The manifestation of matters is what led Dr Ade Oyedijo to launch the Society of Black Academics in 2021, along with an annual conference for members. I had the pleasure to attend last year’s conference (September 2023), which I reflected on as I wrote this article.
With this year’s conference only weeks away I thought it would be useful to share more information about the Society of Black Academics (SBA), how they originated and why, my insight to anyone attending the conference and/or considering registering as a member of the SBA.
Society of Black Academics , the Founder and President (Dr Ade Oyedijo)
From sitting down with Dr Ade Oyedijo, the President of the Society of Black Academics on a couple of occasions, I learnt Ade has been in the thick of the rumble of the movement for equity and progression for hopeful and hardworking black academics. The origin of the Society was from a place of curiosity, a place where he questioned on what it takes for a black academic like himself to come through the ranks and one day become a professor. His journey innocently led him to knock doors of the few who have done exactly that, asking the basic of questions: how did you do it? What does the process entail?
Some stories shared were of sheer grit and determination as well as know-how of a British Higher Education culture and system, which at times can be run by personalities, practices and politics, which can be quite alien to someone who may not be accustomed to.
Ade, Nigeran born and raised, was educated through British universities and lectures specialising in Procurement and Supply Chain Management. Dr Oyedijo, for his tender age has been a force for change within his discipline and within the wider EDI movement. Ade’s curiosity led him to embark of a journey like no other, setting up the Society of Black Academics (SBA); place where Black Academics come together, share experiences, skills, knowledge and support for improvement.
Labelling
Though labelled ‘Society of Black Academics’ I was assured this was a society welcoming anyone who would benefit. This led me to my attendance. September 2023, I walked into the 3rd Annual Conference, a memory that feels like yesterday. What I also witnessed was a society that is actually very open to welcoming of the wider community.
3rd Society of Academics Conference
The conference day was a memorable day for me. Upon invite, I attended the Society of Black Academics’ 3nd Annual Conference. I am privileged to be able to say I do get invited to a number of events through the course of a calendar year, however the Black Academic Annual Conference for me, last year, was one like no other, the highlight event of the year.
On the day, I shuffled into the new University Business School with an expectation of meeting with and being part of a group of individuals as part of an important society in respective of British Academia. However, that was only the beginning, I walked into a safe space, close confined of a large lecture hall filled with people who have already accomplished a lot, many PhD holders, early academics looking to leverage opportunities and resources. Black Doctors and Professors come onto the stage to share their stories with love and care for those coming through the ranks looking for ways to keep the doors open for others. The atmosphere was one of warmth, welcome, care and consideration…like genuine care and consideration, not the type where someone says I’m here for you and you very much know they aren’t.
There was a deep understanding of one another and the diversity of cultures that feature within a singular word: ‘Black’. The richness of culture, heritage, community and care ran deep. It was a day where I felt part of community whom through their own strength had created a safe space to openly share experiences, support and advice.
The conference covered topical conversations from building skills and know-how to the idea of tapping into knowledge and experience of those who are paving the way. You could feel the humility of the few who have climbed the ranks with struggle, who do not want others to experience the same. There was a sense of care, community and consideration of what they individually and collectively had been experiencing.
Complex culture and dynamics in Higher Education
There is no doubt cases of discrimination and bias exist, but I think it would be unfair to end the story there. The conversation is far deeper at the level of culture, community…how things are done, expectations etc.
For example, the idea of ‘boys/pubs culture’ features in the UK Higher Education system, which a Nigerian lecturer shared. During the conference he outlined his experience, noting after a long day working at the university, he saw it important to be at home with his family than in the pub with other male lecturers. Not being part of the pub or boys’ culture/club, may have excluded him from key communication, decisions and discussion, which he latter learnt. This is a similar story my own female lecturer friend shared from other university.
Another black academic at the event explained that some of the senior leadership team saw their culture to be quite blunt, direct so to speak. They say…”I, we are straight up, say it, how they see it”, though he professed in no uncertain terms intended to come across in that manner. Putting my own airs, graces and etiquettes aside, who is right and who is wrong? Perhaps the person who is far more direct than you and I, is actually the person who has not allowed societal and institutional powers govern their conduct and they come from a place of authenticity and this should be respected.
The Society of Black Academic’s movement continues with the 4th annual conference around the corner and a programme of work for their members. The change that is needed cannot be done by the alone by SBA.
Membership, allies, advocates in the quest for change
As Dr Oyedijo noted during the last conference, “we know change is needed but we cannot make this change alone, we need people outside this society to come meet us, work together with us to make changes in the institution to support this movement.”
This include support and engagement with university leadership and decision-making teams, who could benefit from understanding the journey of a black academic to be able to support their teams, peers and academics coming through the ranks.
Overall, the Society of Black Academics has been a great success with the upcoming conference fully booked. However, for such a Society to continue in its existence it is very important that membership is taken up, increase year on year to keep momentum and support their efforts.
For anyone who considers themselves as Black or like me resonates with the movement or even someone who does not consider themselves to fall into this category but is in a leadership position at a High Education institution who could benefit from membership and guidance of how to support Black and Minority peers, colleagues and younger academics, please do consider membership and engaging with the Society. The Society board is very open to engaging and supporting positive change at Higher Education level and race is not a conditionality of membership akin to the fact you do not need to be female to be a feminist. The Society of Black Academic requires allies and advocates in their drive for positive change within the UK Higher Education system.
Please find the link to the Society of Black Academic’s website to register for membership. I have registered myself for membership. The 4th annual conference is around the corner and there are events and support available through the year too. Membership not only allows you to participate in key events through the course of the year but also unlocks you to a community, support system, resource, mentors, lifelong friends and colleagues.
The future we desire is in our hands and together we can bring about change.
Society of Black Academics (SBA) | Ade Oyedijo
