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Taking action on Living Black at University

21 October 2024

At this month’s Living Black at University conference, universities and sector bodies shared what they’ve done to improve Black students’ living experience as a result of our research. Here’s what they’re doing, and what we’re doing. 

 Our Living Black at University report highlighted the challenges faced by Black students at university, and taking action to address this becomes more important each year. Since 2006, the proportion of young Black people going to university has more than doubled. 

That’s why we set up the Living Black at University Commission in 2022. Now in its second phase, the Commission is led in partnership with CUBO (College and University Business Officers) and has broadened its focus to look at improving Black students’ overall campus experience. 

To achieve this, the Commission hosted the sold-out Living Black at University Conference: Engaging with Equity on 8th October 2024 at the University of Kent’s Canterbury campus, which featured: 

  • Keynote speeches from new Commission chair Carol Thomas and President of the National Union of Students, Amira Campbell; 
  • A Black student panel put on by student wellbeing charity Student Minds; 
  • Expert workshops, which covered topics including inclusive leadership and strategic development of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB); and 
  • Four short case studies looking at actions taken by organisations within the Higher Education sector  

If you couldn’t be there, don’t worry. Here are some case studies we heard on the day, showing how Living Black at University continues to inspire action across the sector. 

 

University of Kent: Living Black at Kent 

Our hosts for the day led the way in setting up a campus-wide ‘Living Black at Kent’ working group to implement the report’s 10 recommendations. Last year, as featured in the Commission’s 2022/23 report, Kent launched Caribbean cuisine micro-brand ‘Three Little Birds’ on campus – which delegates got to sample at lunchtime – and published a welcome guide for Black students, signposting to culturally relevant services in Canterbury. 

Laura Maclean and Saundré Hughes shared the latest updates with the 100+ delegates. This year, following a consultation with Black students at the university, they’re launching an updated version of the welcome guide, student-created content and dedicated student ambassadors to promote the Living Black at Kent work. 

 

Unipol: Updating the National Codes 

Student housing charity Unipol and ANUK (Accreditation Network UK) oversee student accommodation’s accreditation, the National Codes. More than 400,000 student beds are covered by the Codes, including ours – so it’s a pretty big deal. 

Vic Peckitt shared how Unipol have improved the National Codes in light of Living Black at University. A new suite of free online and in-person DEIB training has been produced to upskill accommodation staff across the UK, and new guidance advises on how to create an inclusive complaints culture. 

There’s also better support for students navigating the National Codes website. This includes tailored support resources for Black students and a clear overview of the complaints handling process to make this more transparent and manage expectations. 

 

University of Nottingham: Black Sport Collective 

The University of Nottingham told us in last year’s Commission report that they were completing research into Black students’ experience in their halls of residence. The research found that many Black students didn’t feel a sense of belonging on campus. 

Students wanted more funding to get Black students involved in university sports and more recognition of Black students’ achievements. To address this, the university created the Black Sport Collective: a group that represents Black students taking part in sport at Nottingham, identifies funding opportunities and organises regular events for Black students – including a ball and awards evening. 

Derrick Osaze’s presentation had everyone talking, not least about the stark results achieved in the Collective’s first year. Black students’ involvement in sport at the university increased by 63%, and more than 8 in 10 of those engaged said they felt like a part of the university community. 

 

University of Southampton and Campuslife: You Belong at University 

Laura Palmour, Associate Director of Residences at the University of Southampton, and Campuslife’s Sam Taylor showcased their organisations’ collaboration on developing digital resources to help Black students integrate into university life when they arrive. 

These include a Black Freshers’ Guide, video guides to student societies and visual content to engage Black students in Southampton’s Awarding Gap project, which aims to reduce the gap in grades awarded to Black students and white students. Student engagement with the project quadrupled in a year as a result. 

 

Unite Students: Black Services Directory 

Having commissioned the original Living Black report, we’re committed to taking action to make all our residents feel welcome in their university home. 

So, in a workshop on culture and collaboration in student services co-hosted with Student Minds, Higher Education External Engagement Director Jenny Shaw shared our Black services directory. Created by last year’s 10,000 Black Interns cohort and rolled out in October 2023, the directory lists culturally relevant services in each of the 23 cities in which we operate.  

Jenny also discussed how our resident experience team has also put inclusion at the heart of our Resident Ambassador programme. We’ve recruited a more diverse cohort of Ambassadors and enhanced the training they receive around inclusion – for example, providing more guidance on hosting social events that recognise a range of cultures and religious festivals. 

Workshop co-host Student Minds have also been proactive in taking up the recommendations. This year, they launched a comprehensive programme of tailored content called ‘Life as a Black student’, designed to support Black students with their mental health. 

 

Download the Commission’s first phase report here, and read more about the work of the Commission to date from its website. 

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