Black History Month
Throughout October, we celebrate Black History Month.
Black History Month (BHM) began over 20 years ago, and it is rooted in the anti-racism movement. The Coalition of Racial Equality and Rights Scotland (CRER) defines Black History Month as encompassing the history of African, Caribbean and Asian people in this country; people who often have a direct link with Scotland through slavery, colonialism and migration. Black History Month focuses on people whose sacrifices, contributions and achievements against a backdrop of racism, inequality and injustice are often forgotten about.
This year’s Black History Month theme, “Reclaiming Narratives,” marks a significant shift towards recognising and correcting the narratives of Black history and culture. By emphasising this theme, we shine a brighter light on stories, allegories, and histories that underscore our commitment to correcting historical inaccuracies and showcasing the untold success stories and the full complexity of Black heritage.
Find out more
Advancing race equality at Strathclyde
As a socially progressive and people-oriented organisation, the University of Strathclyde strives to be an inclusive community which recognises the potential, talents and contribution of all people.
We greatly value the diversity of our student and staff populations, and seek to create a culture where everyone is welcome and thrives within our institution, and are treated fairly and with respect.
We're committed to creating an environment for students, staff and visitors in which behaviours that detract from the safety and collegiality of our University are not tolerated. The University will take prompt action in response to any alleged discrimination, victimisation, or harassment based on race and ethnicity, nationality, and religion and belief.
Race Equality Steering Group
The Race Equality Steering Group (RESG) was established in September 2023 with the goal of advocating for and ensuring an inclusive, welcoming, and equitable working and learning environment for Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) students and staff. The RESG will actively promote racial diversity in our teaching and learning while improving educational and employment outcomes for BAME students and staff through our culture, structures, and processes.
The RESG is the successor to the Race Equality Working Group (REWG), which was convened to inform the advancement of race equality work at Strathclyde. From 2020 to 2022, the University’s Race Equality Working Group led a program of sector scoping, consulted with staff and students, and analysis of ethnicity data. The three main strands of the recommendations are Challenging Racism, Representation, as well as Belonging and Visibility.
In September 2023, the University established the permanent Race Equality Steering Group (RESG) to carry forward this work and implement the recommendations, reporting directly to the University’s central EDI Committee.
We are pleased to announce that from September 2024, Dr Elaine Webster will assume the role of Chairperson for the Race Equality Steering Group. Dr Webster is a Reader in the Law School and has served since 2022 as Associate Dean for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. The RESG is sponsored by Professor Douglas Brodie, Associate Principal for Social Inclusion.
To proactively address matters of race equality, in June 2023 the university appointed a Senior Race Equality Officer. This focused addition to the Equality and Diversity Office underscores the University's determination to better understand, address, and challenge existing racial disparities. For more information about the RESG or matters of race equality at the University of Strathclyde, please contact Jennifer Ba (Senior Race Equality Officer) at: Jennifer.ba@strath.ac.uk.
Report & Support
If you experience or witness bullying, harassment and violence on campus and/or relating to university staff and students, you can report this via Strathclyde’s Report & Support system. Reports can be made anonymously.
Training & Development
The Equality and Diversity Office offers a suite of training sessions on topics related to race and racism, including in-person and online sessions. Staff can sign up for sessions via the DAT booking system (links below). If you would like to book a session for your team or department, please email us at equality@strath.ac.uk.
Microbehaviours
This session considers microbehaviours, from microaggressions to microaffirmations, and how they can shape our daily lives. Participants will be given practical skills for addressing microaggressions and will put them to use through group work and case studies.
Allyship
This session covers the basics of allyship, why it matters, and practical ways to become an effective ally to marginalised groups, with a particular focus on sexism and racism. Through interactive activities and group work, participants will build a solid foundation from which to develop their allyship.
Anti-Racism workshop
This two-hour interactive session is an introduction to the topic of Anti-Racism. Participants will develop confidence with terminology around race; explore structural racism through the lens of unequal structures in Scotland and in Higher Education; reflect on privilege and power in daily life, and discover practical steps towards anti-racism.
This course was developed by the Equality & Diversity Office and draws upon relevant evidence, sector-wide research, and work undertaken by the University’s Race Equality Working Group and ongoing work led by the Race Equality Steering Group.
Intersectionality
Intersectionality, a term coined by scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw, describes the study of overlapping identities and the interaction between different power structures. In this workshop, participants will be provided with a safe space to reflect on intersecting identities such as race, gender, class, sexual orientation, ability, and many others. By applying an intersectional framework, participants will be better equipped at identifying the impact of overarching power structures and comprehensively address inequality.
Please visit our staff courses webpage to view our full training & development offering.
Race Equality Charter
The University is a member of the Advance HE Race Equality Charter programme, and is currently working towards submission for an award. The Race Equality Charter helps institutions in their work to identify and address the barriers facing Black, Asian and minority ethnic staff and students, while also providing a framework for action and improvement.
Further information about the Race Equality Charter is available from Advance HE.
Black History 365 Playlist
This playlist includes a list of films, documentaries and radio programmes celebrating Black history. Login using your University details.
Black History Month - Queer History Playlist
A playlist focusing on the lives and works of Black queer people. While most items feature explicitly queer stories, some focus on people's contributions to their field or the culture. Content Disclaimer: some items in this list may contain outdated or offensive language, including misgendering.
Black History Month book display
Throughout October, the Andersonian Library will display on Level 3 books relating to Black History Month and by BAME authors/authors of Colour, including biographies, novels, poetry collections, and more.
Time: Library opening hours
Celebrating African and Asian Honorary Graduates of the University of Strathclyde
Each year, the University confers a small number of Honorary Degrees upon exceptional people whose professional and personal achievements have made a tangible difference in the world. This display, featuring photographs and documents from the University Archives and Special Collections, highlights the University’s first Honorary Graduates from African and Asian backgrounds.
Time:
Location: Andersonian Library, Level 3
Careers & employability service events
Check the calendar for events throughout the month, hosted by employers and the Careers team.
Race Equality staff network Jubilee map
Throughout October, an AuthaGraph world map will be located on level 3 of the Learning and Teaching Building (across from Grab and Go Cafe). The Race Equality Staff Network would like to invite all university staff to mark their country of origin/home country on the map, creating a visual representation of the rich international diversity that makes up our community.
For those unable to visit the physical map, we have created a digital alternative using Google Maps, where staff can anonymously add their country of origin.
'The Golden Series' Art Exhibition
We are honoured to host a month-long art exhibition by Valentine Kizito. This exhibition of 10 oil and acrylic paintings on canvas celebrates the role of Black African women as custodians of a vibrant culture and their efforts in preserving the beauty of diverse African cultures from clothing, artefacts, basketry and more. The throughline is the traditional attire worn by women across different regions of Africa.
Location: Jackie Kay Plaza Foyer area, on level 4 of the Learning and Teaching building.
Past events
'The Golden Series' Art exhibition by Valentine Kizito
This exhibition of 10 paintings of oil and acrylic on canvas each celebrates the role of Black African women as custodians of a vibrant culture and their efforts in preserving the beauty of diverse African cultures from clothing, artefacts, basketry and more.
Date: 1 October 2024
Time: 2pm
African Institutes for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) workshop
The Department of Mathematics & Statistics will host a hybrid workshop in collaboration with the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS).
If you are interested in attending the event online, please contact Ann Lynch at ann.lynch
Date: 2 October 2024
Anti-racism training (online)
This two-hour interactive session is an introduction to the topic of Anti-Racism. Participants will develop confidence with terminology around race; explore structural racism through the lens of unequal structures in Scotland and in Higher Education; reflect on privilege, power in daily life, and discover practical steps towards anti-racism.
Date: 2 October 2024
Time: 2pm
Strath Decolonial Academy
The Strath Decolonial Academy is a collaborative space for students to explore de/coloniality within the university and its impact.
Date: 2 October 2024
Time: 2pm
Location: Level 8 Open Space, Strath Union
Anti-Racism Workshop - Show Racism the Red Card
This workshop is open to students of all levels and staff, it is a part of Strath-RISE: Campaigns Week.
Date: 3 October 2024
Time: 5pm
Location: Mandela Auditorium, Strath Union
Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers - Careers Transition Event
This event is a collaboration between AFBE, the University of Strathclyde’s Engineering Faculty, Balfour Beatty, and Mott MacDonald.
Date: 4 October 2024
Time: 9am
Anti-Racist Conversations: a roundtable
Join us to hear about some exciting decolonial and anti-racist work underway in the Humanities, and be part of the discussion to engender change! Speakers include Charles Pigott, Redi Koobak, Vanesa Sabala, Erica Zuniga. The event will be chaired by Esperanza Miyake.
Date: 4 October 2024
Time: 1pm
Location: Lord Hope Building, Room LH217
Our Shared Future: Developing Our Joint Pathway for Impactful Partnerships in Africa
This two-day Diamond Jubilee event, featuring Keynote Speaker Joyce Msuya, Strathclyde Alumna of the Year 2019 will provide an invaluable opportunity to examine the pivotal role of higher education in development and sustainability across Africa.
Date: 9 & 10 October 2024
Location: Technology and Innovation Centre
Strathclyde Business School Black History Month - Decolonizing Quantitative Methods in Research and Teaching Seminar
This interactive two-hour workshop led by Dr Sharada Davidson is designed to help members of the academic community critically explore whether we can decolonize quantitative research methodologies and how we can do so.
Date: 10 October 2024
Time: 2pm
Location: Room SW104; Stenhouse Wing, 199 Cathedral Street
Recurring Narratives
Development Discourse and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Colonial and Independent Malawi. The Scottish Malawi Partnership in partnership with the University of Strathclyde's Department of Humanities, will host Professor Wapulumuka Mulwafu, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Mzuzu University (MZUNI).
Date: 11 October 2024
Time: 2pm
Strath Decolonial Academy
What’s the difference? Anti-racism, intersectionality, and the decolonial project for students. Building on long and entangled histories of anti-oppression (from anti-racism to (a)gender and (a)sexual diversity, to disability and language prejudice, and more), join us in our exploration of what it means to decolonise the academy.
Date: 16 October
Time: 2pm
Location: Level 8 Open Space, Strath Union
A Conversation on Race, Equality & Heritage with Lilian Thuram
A Conversation on Race, Equality & Heritage with Lilian Thuram. Followed by a Round Table on 'Decolonizing the Heritage Sector in Scotland'
Booking is essential
Date: 23 October 2024
Time: 6pm
Location: TL325, Learning & Teaching Building
Toni Morrison Film Screening
An intimate film directed by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders explores the life and works of Nobel laureate Toni Morrison. Joined by peers like Angela Davis, Fran Lebowitz, and Oprah Winfrey, Morrison reflects on race, America, and the human condition through her literature.
Date: 24 October 2024
Time: 5.30pm
Location: Library Lecture Theatre, level 3 of the Andersonian Library
Race and Madness Lecture by Professor Matt Smith
In this lecture, Professor Matt Smith explores the historical and contemporary relationship between race and mental health.
Date: 24 October 2024
Time: 12.30pm
Location: TL455, Learning & Teaching Building (A hybrid option will be available)
Nigerian Identity: Celebrating Nigerian Youths Globally
This year’s conference theme is "Nigerian Identity: Celebrating Nigerian Youths Globally", and it will bring together distinguished guests, scholars, and students to explore the achievements, challenges, and future of Nigerian youths around the world. This important event as we celebrate and reflect on the vibrant contributions of Nigerians on the global stage.
Date: 24/10/2024
Time: 10am
Location: Nelson Mandela Auditorium, Strath Union level 1
Booking: Please email Chijioke at: unionsociety-nigeria@strath.ac.uk
Information Session - Diversifying Leadership training programme
The University of Strathclyde is offering a limited number of spaces for the Advance HE Diversifying Leadership programme.
Date: 28 October 2024
Time: 1pm
Location: Online
Belonging in Glasgow: Stories of Identity and Inclusion
The Race Equality Staff Network at the University of Strathclyde is hosting an event celebrating the University's Diamond Jubilee, coinciding with Black History Month.
Date: 31 October 2024
Time: 1pm
Location: Nelson Mandela Auditorium, Learning and Teaching Building (A hybrid option will be available.)
Anti-Racism and 'Decolonising the Curriculum' SharePoint site
From 1 October, the new Anti-Racism and 'Decolonising the Curriculum' SharePoint site will be live.
Developed by the Race Equality Steering Group, this site provides a range of resources created by staff and students at the university, as well as materials from the Advance HE Anti-Racist Curriculum (ARC) project. It also includes updates from each faculty on their ongoing work in this area.
Visit our Anti-Racist Curriculum and "Decolonising the Curriculum" Hub.
More information & resources
If you are looking for more information about staff networks and groups, learning & development or Diversifying and Decolonising the Curriculum please visit our Race Equality Webpages.