The Black PhD Experience

“This indispensable volume chronicles narratives on the Black PhD experience in the UK. It is an essential resource highlighting this marginalised yet powerful community, challenging readers to support racial justice and equity in academia and beyond.” Richard J. Reddick, The University of Texas at Austin

“A must-read for understanding the complex realities faced by Black PhD students in UK academia today, offering personal insights into their experiences, emotions, systemic racism, institutional barriers, hopes and triumphs.” Richard Oreffo, Founder of The Cowrie Scholarship Foundation

“The Black PhD experience presents a rich and rare collection of diverse perspectives, capturing the nuanced journeys and challenges of Black doctoral candidates in UK academia. It is crucial for anyone seeking to understand the multifaceted experiences of these scholars.” Billy Wong, University of Reading

“This book is a powerful and timely testimony to the lived experiences of Black PhD students as they navigate the institutionally racist system of higher education in the UK and, in many instances, succeed against the odds. The book contains valuable insights and offers hope for those who struggle for a future free from racism.” Leon Tikly, FAcSS, University of Bristol

William Ackah is Senior Lecturer in Black and Community Geographies at Birkbeck, University of London.

Jacqueline Darkwa is a documentary filmmaker and science communicator.

Wayne A. Mitchell is Associate Provost for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Principal Teaching Fellow at Imperial College London.

De-Shaine Murray is a Wu Tsai Institute Postdoctoral Fellow at Yale University.

Madina Wane is a research scientist working in the biomedical sector and the co-founder of non-profit organisation, Black In Immuno.

Foreword - Jason Arday and Wayne A. Mitchell

Introduction: Black PhD Journeys in Context - William Ackah

Part 1: The ‘Weighted’, Waiting Game: Being Black and Applying To Do a PhD - Wayne A. Mitchell

1. Underrepresented and Undervalued: My Reflections on School, University and the Doctoral Application Process - Sophie Martin

2. Climbing the Rough Side of the Mountain: Getting into a PhD Programme - Katty Wadda

3. What I Wish I Knew: Deciding on when to Pursue the PhD - Esther Osarfo-Mensah

4. The Long and Winding Road: Tackling Barriers and Prejudice on the Journey to PhD Study - Sigourney Bonner

5. Ignorance Is Not Bliss: What Every Potential Black PhD Science Student Needs to Know - Jason Amartey

6. Being One of the Few Among the Many: My Journey to the PhD Starting Point - Nina Higson-Sweeney

7. Making the Garments Fit: Transitions to a Better Place - Dwaynica Greaves

Reflections on Part 1 and Prompts for Action - Wayne A. Mitchell

Part 2: Being Black Is Not an Optional Luxury! Struggles for Rights and Recognition in the White Academic Space - Madina Wane

8. Studying While Black: Reflections on Researching Blackness in White Space – Alanah Mortlock

9. Through, Around or Over the Gate? Navigating Academia from a Black Muslim Woman's Perspective - Amira Samatar

10. Fighting the Power: Challenging Institutional Discrimination – A Personal Perspective - Hanna Akalu

11. The Missing Ones

Reflections on Part 2 and Prompts for Action - Madina Wane

Part 3: For Us, by Us: Finding One Another Amid the Storm - Jacqueline Darkwa

12. That Ain’t It, So We’ll Create It: Supporting Black Students When and Where Our Institutions Fail - De-Shaine Murray

13. Finding the Black Immunologists in a Pandemic - Madina Wane

14. In the Meantime: Creating Change Through Community - Paulette Williams

15. Networks, Networking and Finding My Place in the Academic Space - Deyl Djama

16. #BlackInTheIvory: Social Media as a Tool for Racial Healing - Louisa Brotherson

17. Unravelling the Tapestry of Unspoken Rules: Living with Being Different in the Academic Space - Mary Agyapong

18. Making Space for Black Voices and Black Visions: The Formation and Work of the African Diaspora Postgraduate Network - William Ackah

Reflections on Part 3 and Prompts for Action - Jacqueline Darkwa

Part 4: Academic Support: The Right Thing, in the Right Place, at the Right Time – De-Shaine Murray

19. Reaching Beyond the Horizon: Being Inspired to Succeed Against the Odds - Simone Webb

20. In and Out of Prison: My Personal Research Journey of Being a Black Woman, Researching Black Women - Angela Charles

21. Not in This Alone: Being Supported to Break Down Barriers to PhD Success - Peggy Warren

22. When Seasons Change: Dealing with a Change in my Situation While Studying for a PhD - Rees Johnson

23. Believing That the Impossible Is Possible: My Story of Being Supported to Succeed - Clíona Kelly

Reflections on Part 4 and prompts for Action - De-Shaine Murray

Part 5: Reflections at the Completion of the PhD Journey - Madina Wane

24. What It Means To Be the First: My Journey from Windrush to PhD - Julia Morris

25. Why the ‘P’ in PhD Stands for (Black) Power - April-Louise Pennant

26. (Un)Making the Imposter Syndrome - Barbara Adewumi

27. I Came All This Way for This?! An International Student's Experience of UK Higher Education – Anon

Reflections on Part 5 and Prompts for Action - Madina Wane

Conclusion and Recommendations - De-Shaine Murray

Our Ancestor’s Wildest Dreams … (Fictionalisation) - Jacqueline Darkwa

Afterword: For Our Community - De-Shaine Murray