Every year our university community comes together to celebrate Black history, culture, and achievements during Black History Month in October. 

Black History Month is a time to recognise and celebrate the invaluable contributions of Black people to British society. It also serves as an opportunity to inspire and empower future generations. 

This year’s national theme for Black History Month is ‘Saluting our sisters’ – highlighting black women’s critical role in shaping black history, culture and communities. Read more on the theme on the official Black History Month website. 

We have a rich programme of events throughout the university coming up – including talks by alumni, poetry readings, and film screenings.

Find a full list of events here.

If you have anything planned, please get in touch with the EDI Coordinators for your event to be featured in the central programme.  

In the meantime, you can access recordings of some of the amazing events we have held over the years.  

In our 2020 highlight compilation, you can find recordings of the following events: 

• What is Black Joy? 
• Why we need Black Radicalism?  
• Is the University Colonial? Critical Conversations on Its Past 
• Black, Other: Underappreciated Narratives on Race and Science 
• Ubuntu: A decolonial epistemic shift for education 

In 2021 we held the following events: 

• If Black History Month Were Every Month
• Is God black or is God white? A multifaith panel discussion on ethnic identities in faith
• A Conversation on Race and Health Inequalities
• Excel in Science welcomes Miranda Lowe from the Natural History Museum
• Black History Month: The role of BAME Scientists in Modern Agriculture

In 2022 we held a wide variety of events, many of which were in person. You can watch the recording of our central event from here: 

• Action Not Words: Enabling Black Success

We have also held some thought-provoking events with our Chancellor, including 

• Fireside Chat between Baroness Young, Chancellor and Professor Shearer West, Vice Chancellor  
• Acknowledging racism panel discussion during Diversity festival