An event hosted by The University of Nottingham BME Staff Network.

How does it feel to be older, black and female – with a desire for purposeful learning for the benefit of the wider community? This interactive workshop will present the concept of ‘Matriarchal Learning hubs’ from Dr Etienne’s new book (Learning in Womanist Ways) and will explore the significance of black feminist epistemologies where black women activists are using their learning to tackle critical concerns in their local communities. Through the narratives of over 100 first generation African Caribbean women interviewed across 11 UK cities, Dr Etienne exposes the reality of learning in ‘Womanist’ ways, where harsh, painful messages are delivered and where interruptions, laughter, reflection and strategies for community action are the order of the day. The lecture will be followed by questions and open discussion.

Speaker Biography

Dr Jan Etienne is an Associate Lecturer in the School of Social Sciences, History and Philosophy at Birkbeck, University of London. She is a graduate of the school for Policy Studies, University of Bristol where she researched the survival of Black Sections in the Labour Party. Her PhD thesis engaged with Narrative Inquiry, exploring the learning lives of older black women. She is the author of: Learning in Womanist Ways: Narratives of First Generation African Caribbean Women (2016). Other publications include: Lifelong learning in later years: choices and constraints (2012). Beyond the home: informal learning and community practice for older women, (2011) Dilemmas in researching lifelong learning ‘race’ and gender (2009).

This event is free. All welcome. Book online.

Part of Black History Month 2016. You can keep up to date on events news, comment and profiles on our People and Culture blog, which we will update throughout October. You can also take a look at our gallery of events.