The COVID 19 pandemic and the recent events surrounding the death of George Floyd in the USA have brought into sharp focus the extent of racial injustice. It has also highlighted the need for, and immediacy of a conversation about race that enables the voices of black communities in the UK to be foregrounded. Equally important, is the commitment to act on racial injustice – not just in terms of policies but in ways that seek to proactively address inequalities where they exist at UCL.

This Town Hall meeting provides a space to share lived experiences on race amongst colleagues of African heritage in the context of Black Lives Matter. As such the emphasis is on amplifying the voices of visibly black staff and giving priority to their voices. The aim is to share how we galvanise to execute new action initiatives that address genuine staff concerns and the existing race equality strategy. The Provost welcomes listening to our views on how we create solutions to affect change on race inequality at UCL. Allies invited. Solidarity welcomed.

SHARE YOUR LIVED EXPERIENCES

A form for sharing your lived experience anonymously or otherwise is accessible here.

KEY THEMES

• Workforce – workplace/learning environment; organisational culture and its impact on academics, professional services staff and students of colour.

• Well-being & Emotional Labour – to address the impact of racism on the health of colleagues of African heritage. For new action to include specialist support within well-being services to provide appropriate emotional and well-being support.

• Progression, Promotion and the Ethnicity Pay Gap – strategies to remove the gap.

• Interrogation of Data – Hidden figures.

EVENT STRUCTURE

• 50 minutes of lived experiences

• 40 minutes proposed solutions

• 20 minutes to end the session

• 10 minutes with Dave Neita closing with a spoken word.

Registrations are closed

Town Hall - A conversation about race at UCL: a lived experience