The University of West London (UWL) proudly hosted the Across Ideas; Across Disciplines conference on Friday 12 June, celebrating the achievements, research and contributions of Black PhD students from across the UK.
Co-hosted with the Black PhD Collective, the UK’s first national network dedicated to supporting Black and Black-mixed doctoral researchers, the event underscored the importance of community, representation and academic excellence across all disciplines.
Diverse voices in research
The conference brought together PhD students, academics and professionals from a wide range of institutions and subject areas. It provided a vibrant platform for sharing research, exchanging ideas, and building meaningful professional networks.
With 20 oral presentations and five poster presentations, delegates explored a rich variety of topics, including physical and life sciences, computing, creative writing, education, sustainability, health and mental health, law and governance, philosophy, and media studies. This breadth highlighted the depth and diversity of Black scholarship across the UK.
Inspiring insights and emerging ideas
Attendees heard powerful keynote addresses from Professor Bernadine Idowu, UWL’s Professor of Biomedical Sciences, and Associate Lecturer Natasha Hendry. Reflecting on their own journeys, both speakers offered candid insights into navigating academic spaces and emphasised the importance of fostering inclusive and representative environments in higher education.
A panel discussion on the use of artificial intelligence beyond academia sparked lively debate, examining both the opportunities and challenges of emerging technologies. The session highlighted differing perspectives between academia and industry, encouraging reflection on innovation and its wider impact.
Supporting careers and recognising talent
Interactive workshops on networking and grant writing provided practical support for doctoral researchers, equipping them with essential skills to advance their academic and professional careers. These sessions reinforced the conference’s commitment to empowering participants beyond research alone.
Throughout the day, awards were presented to recognise outstanding oral and poster presentations. Additional prizes for networking and social media engagement celebrated the collaborative, supportive and innovative spirit that defined the event.
A commitment to inclusion
The conference reaffirmed UWL’s commitment to supporting postgraduate researchers and widening participation in higher education. By creating inclusive opportunities and celebrating excellence, the University continues to champion the success of talented individuals from all backgrounds.
Professor Caroline Lafarge, Head of the Graduate School, said:
“It was a great honour to welcome the Black PhD Collective network at UWL and host their very first academic conference. I was very impressed by the diversity and quality of the work presented and it was a real pleasure to meet so many talented doctoral researchers. Clearly an inspiring and great day all round!”
Ms Melea Sinclair, founder of the Black PhD Collective said:
“It was a fantastic opportunity to connect with other Black PhDs from across the UK and to hear about their research. The fact we had students come from outside England goes to show how needed this space is. Many thanks to UWL for making a statement by collaborating with the Black PhD Collective and providing a safe space for us to network.”
