Policy Press
Introduction: Black PhD journeys in context
Abstract
The introduction sets out the context from which the book was brought together. It argues that Black doctoral students have come through the system of doctoral study to the PhD in spite of, not because of, the system. These students have shown amazing tenacity and resilience against great odds to study for the highest academic qualification. The introduction argues that the experiences of Black students in higher education is tied to the wider experiences of Black communities in Britain. An experience that has been characterised and shaped by the legacies of colonialism, transatlantic enslavement and the contemporary nightmare of institutionalised racism. The introduction shows how higher education attempts to set itself above the furore of ‘race’ but is heavily implicated in practices that devalue and dehumanise Black and Brown bodies. The awarding gap, the lack of Black professors and the unacknowledged colonial histories of institutions and disciplines prove universities have deep-seated racism issues. Having set out the context, the introduction outlines the methodology that grounds that work, which follows the cycle of studying for a PhD from application through to graduation. The introduction ends with a call to create an academic environment free from racism.
Abstract
The introduction sets out the context from which the book was brought together. It argues that Black doctoral students have come through the system of doctoral study to the PhD in spite of, not because of, the system. These students have shown amazing tenacity and resilience against great odds to study for the highest academic qualification. The introduction argues that the experiences of Black students in higher education is tied to the wider experiences of Black communities in Britain. An experience that has been characterised and shaped by the legacies of colonialism, transatlantic enslavement and the contemporary nightmare of institutionalised racism. The introduction shows how higher education attempts to set itself above the furore of ‘race’ but is heavily implicated in practices that devalue and dehumanise Black and Brown bodies. The awarding gap, the lack of Black professors and the unacknowledged colonial histories of institutions and disciplines prove universities have deep-seated racism issues. Having set out the context, the introduction outlines the methodology that grounds that work, which follows the cycle of studying for a PhD from application through to graduation. The introduction ends with a call to create an academic environment free from racism.
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- Acronyms and glossary of terms vii
- Notes on contributors ix
- Acknowledgements xiii
- Foreword xv
- Introduction: Black PhD journeys in context 1
-
The ‘weighted’ waiting game: being Black and applying to do a PhD
- Underrepresented and undervalued: my reflections on school, university and the doctoral application process 19
- Climbing the rough side of the mountain: getting into a PhD programme 23
- What I wish I knew: deciding on when to pursue the PhD 26
- The long and winding road: tackling barriers and prejudice on the journey to PhD study 31
- Ignorance is not bliss: what every potential Black PhD science student needs to know 35
- Being one of the few among the many: my journey to the PhD starting point 40
- Making the garments fit: transitions to a better place 44
- Reflections on Part I and prompts for action 48
-
Being Black is not an optional luxury! Struggles for rights and recognition in the White academic space
- Studying while Black: reflections on researching Blackness in White space 53
- Through, around or over the gate? Navigating academia from a Black Muslim woman’s perspective 57
- Fighting the power: challenging institutional discrimination – a personal perspective 63
- The missing ones 69
- Reflections on Part II and prompts for action 70
-
For us, by us: finding one another amid the storm
- That ain’t it, so we’ll create it: supporting Black students when and where our institutions fail 75
- Finding the Black immunologists in a pandemic 80
- In the meantime: creating change through community 85
- Networks, networking and finding my place in the academic space 90
- #BlackInTheIvory: social media as a tool for racial healing 93
- Unravelling the tapestry of unspoken rules: living with being different in the academic space 98
- Making space for Black voices and Black visions: the formation and work of the African Diaspora Postgraduate Network 104
- Reflections on Part III and prompts for action 109
-
Academic support: the right thing, in the right place, at the right time
- Reaching beyond the horizon: being inspired to succeed against the odds 113
- In and out of prison: my personal research journey of being a Black woman, researching Black women 118
- Not in this alone: being supported to break down barriers to PhD success 122
- When seasons change: dealing with a change in my situation while studying for a PhD 127
- Believing that the impossible is possible: my story of being supported to succeed 131
- Reflections on Part IV and prompts for action 136
-
Reflections at the completion of the PhD journey
- What it means to be the first: my journey from Windrush to PhD 141
- Why the ‘P’ in PhD stands for (Black) Power 146
- (Un)making the imposter syndrome 152
- I came all this way for this?! An international student’s experience of UK higher education 157
- Reflections on Part V and prompts for action 162
- Conclusion and recommendations 163
- Our ancestors’ wildest dreams … (fictionalisation) 176
- Afterword: For our community 179
- Index 180
Chapters in this book
- Front Matter i
- Contents iii
- Acronyms and glossary of terms vii
- Notes on contributors ix
- Acknowledgements xiii
- Foreword xv
- Introduction: Black PhD journeys in context 1
-
The ‘weighted’ waiting game: being Black and applying to do a PhD
- Underrepresented and undervalued: my reflections on school, university and the doctoral application process 19
- Climbing the rough side of the mountain: getting into a PhD programme 23
- What I wish I knew: deciding on when to pursue the PhD 26
- The long and winding road: tackling barriers and prejudice on the journey to PhD study 31
- Ignorance is not bliss: what every potential Black PhD science student needs to know 35
- Being one of the few among the many: my journey to the PhD starting point 40
- Making the garments fit: transitions to a better place 44
- Reflections on Part I and prompts for action 48
-
Being Black is not an optional luxury! Struggles for rights and recognition in the White academic space
- Studying while Black: reflections on researching Blackness in White space 53
- Through, around or over the gate? Navigating academia from a Black Muslim woman’s perspective 57
- Fighting the power: challenging institutional discrimination – a personal perspective 63
- The missing ones 69
- Reflections on Part II and prompts for action 70
-
For us, by us: finding one another amid the storm
- That ain’t it, so we’ll create it: supporting Black students when and where our institutions fail 75
- Finding the Black immunologists in a pandemic 80
- In the meantime: creating change through community 85
- Networks, networking and finding my place in the academic space 90
- #BlackInTheIvory: social media as a tool for racial healing 93
- Unravelling the tapestry of unspoken rules: living with being different in the academic space 98
- Making space for Black voices and Black visions: the formation and work of the African Diaspora Postgraduate Network 104
- Reflections on Part III and prompts for action 109
-
Academic support: the right thing, in the right place, at the right time
- Reaching beyond the horizon: being inspired to succeed against the odds 113
- In and out of prison: my personal research journey of being a Black woman, researching Black women 118
- Not in this alone: being supported to break down barriers to PhD success 122
- When seasons change: dealing with a change in my situation while studying for a PhD 127
- Believing that the impossible is possible: my story of being supported to succeed 131
- Reflections on Part IV and prompts for action 136
-
Reflections at the completion of the PhD journey
- What it means to be the first: my journey from Windrush to PhD 141
- Why the ‘P’ in PhD stands for (Black) Power 146
- (Un)making the imposter syndrome 152
- I came all this way for this?! An international student’s experience of UK higher education 157
- Reflections on Part V and prompts for action 162
- Conclusion and recommendations 163
- Our ancestors’ wildest dreams … (fictionalisation) 176
- Afterword: For our community 179
- Index 180
