Brought to you in partnership with the Race Equality Lecture Series.

Abstract

From the persistence of the degree awarding gap to the pervasiveness of racial harassment, UK higher education has a poor track record on race and racism. This keynote address explores the nature of this criticism in light of the speaker’s own research examining the career experiences and strategies of UK Black female Professors. Dr Rollock demonstrates how these women have purposefully and diligently worked to navigate a system characterised by bullying, undermining and shifting markers of success. She reflects on whether the sector is really ready to think critically about advancing racial justice and improving the experiences and success of racially minoritised students, faculty and staff.

Biography

Dr Nicola Rollock is an academic, consultant and public speaker specialising in racial justice in education and the workplace. She was appointed, at the start of 2019, as the Specialist Adviser to the Home Affairs’ Select Committee inquiry - the Macpherson Report 20 Years On - which is examining whether there has been progress in meeting the 70 recommendations published in 1999.

Her most recent research examines the career experiences and strategies of UK Black female Professors, the findings of which were widely covered in the press including WonkHE, The Guardian, Stylist magazine and British Vogue.

Nicola is a member of the Wellcome Trust’s Diversity & Inclusion Steering Group and the British Science Association’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Group. She is also a judge for the JP Morgan sponsored ‘Stories of Black Leadership’ series which showcases successful Black female leaders and for the Powerlist of Britain’s most influential people of African and African Caribbean heritage.

Twitter: @NicolaRollock

Refreshments will be available from 12.30pm onwards.

This lecture is free and all are welcome to attend.

If you are a non-Keele member of staff/student and are coming by car, parking will be available in the Keele Hall Courtyard overflow car park. All travel information is available on our How to Find Us page.

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