Previous Conferences
2023
Inaugural Conference: Disrupting Structural Racism and Building Communities of Dissent Through Transformative Research
In 2023, we ran our first ever 'Race' and Socially Engaged Research Conference. It acted as a pilot, we capped the number of spaces available at 50 and were amazed when we had so much interest. We ended up with a large waiting list of people, some of whom we sadly had to turn away. In 2024, we are working hard to secure more funding, build upon the feedback we received from the 'pilot' and grow and improve the conference.
We set up the conference to create a safe, inclusive and open space where PhD students and Early Career Researchers could present their research. The event was created due to our knowledge of, and experiences of, difficulties navigating traditional academic conferences for critical researchers from racially minoritised backgrounds. We understand that these spaces can be very daunting for those at the earlier stages of their career, and aimed to create a welcoming space whereby such scholars can develop their skills and receive peer-feedback on their work. We also aimed to create a space which would provoke discussions around forming communities in scholar-activist research and beyond academic institutions, thereby disrupting structural racism and other injustices that are present in academic institutions.
Conference Booklet from 2023
Pictures from 1st Annual Conference
Venue - The Creative Centre
Reception Area
The Main Room
The Main Stage
Poster Browsing
Break Out Spaces - Joy, Decompression and Quiet
We had a dedicated room to play and joy, including artistic and creative materials
We also had a decompression room, which had blankets, pillows and calming activities
There was a completely silent space, which was used for time out and prayer
Speakers - Panellists and Roundtable
Panel 1:
Tré Ventour-Griffiths
Chiedza Ikpeh
Rhianna Garrett
Panel 2:
Izzy Bartley
Kevin J Brazant
Nicola McAteer
Roundtable:
Dr Carol Ann Dixon
Matthew Johnson
Sherquita Waller
Panel 4:
Nabila Islam
Bernardo Carvalho de Mello
Poster Presentations
Posters: at the Creative Centre and the Guildhall
Odi Okaka Oquosa - When A Dolphin is Not A Dolphin.
King-Yin Chan - How do racially minoritised students experience anti-racism training in their counselling or psychology education: A systematic review.
York Anti-Racist Collective - Using Creative Practice as a Tool for Liberation.
Aman Rattan - The Significance of Ethnography in Investigating Mental Health Understandings in the Sikh Community in the UK.
Ifza Shakoor - Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the Career Development Sector in England: Ethnically Diversifying the Pipeline.
Chiedza Ikpeh - Understanding Black Women Teachers: An Insider/Outsider Analysis Informed by Critical Race Theory.
Iram Zahair - Surviving stomach bugs in UK ethnic groups: a qualitative study.
Drinks Reception: Making Anti-Racism, Inclusivity and Radical Action Our Priority
The event closed with a drinks reception at the Guildhall entitled ‘Making Anti-Racism, Inclusivity and Radical Action Our Priority’, designed for engaging with local community groups and building networks with other scholar-activists.
We were joined by Haddy Njie as a keynote speaker. Haddy Njie set up two local grassroots organisations called ‘Speak Up Diversity’ and ‘Inclusive Equal Rights 3.0’ and reflected upon the struggles of anti-racist activism and the importance of academic and grassroots organisation collaboration.
Our Funders - 2023
Thank you so much to our funders who enabled us to put on this event - we could not have done it without your trust and support
Professor Kiran Trehan: Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Partnerships and Engagement at the University of York and Director of the Centre for Women’s Enterprise, Leadership, Economy and Diversity
Professor Matthew Reason: Director of the Institute for Social Justice (ISJ) at York St John University
Social Policy Association (SPA)
White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership (WRDTP)
Department of Politics at the University of York (UoY)
Research Centre for Social Sciences (ReCSS) at UoY