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

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