Embedded Files
Keep an eye out on this page for updates on the conference programme and invited speakers!
SPEAKERS - CONFERENCE ROUNDTABLE
Reflections on the conference themes with invited speakers
Dr Amal Abu-Bakare, Professor Iwi Ugiagbe-Green, Professor Rochelle Burgess and Dr Maisha Islam
Dr Amal Abu-Bakare
Dr Amal Abu-Bakare
Amal Abu-Bakare is a lecturer in the politics of race and decolonial studies at the University of Liverpool. She received her PhD in International Politics from Aberystwyth University. Her current research profile remains centred on using anti-colonial IR theory to explore how North American and European political/security institutions continue to empower racially configured exclusions and terror. She is currently finishing her upcoming book under contract with Manchester University Press. It is titled The Colour of Counterterrorism: anti-terrorism and race in the United Kingdom and Canada.
Professor Iwi Ugiagbe-Green
Professor Iwi Ugiagbe-Green
Professor Rochelle Burgess
Professor Rochelle Burgess
Dr Maisha Islam
Dr Maisha Islam
Dr Maisha Islam is the Research Culture Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Southampton’s Doctoral College. Her research areas of interest and expertise centre student engagement, and racial and religious equity in higher education. She is a co-editor of the recently published book ‘Uncovering Islamophobia in Higher Education: Supporting the success of Muslim students and staff’, and co-Chair of a Research England/Office for Students Steering Group seeking to improve access and participation of racially minoritised students in postgraduate research.
WORKSHOP FACILITATOR- Abíọ́dún 'Abbey' Abdul
Exploring Auto-Narratives and Writing Autoethnography
Have you ever read an autobiography and felt enlightened by the narrative’s life lessons? Is it possible to blend such life lessons with academically rigorous research, creating valuable new auto-narrative genres? What types of knowledge production emerges from auto-theory vs auto-geography, and why is auto-ethnography becoming increasingly popular as a qualitative methodology, particularly in decolonising discussions? What sub-genres exist in auto-ethnography and how might they be more relevant for our specific research needs? How to argue against the pushback against this arts-based methodology from both academic and artistic/creative opponents? Which creative techniques can we use to bring the narratives to life, making our hard-hitting research more engaging for a wider readership?
All this and more is covered in this dynamic workshop’s interactive learning session. The following activity session then reviews sample autoethnographies before some writing practice where you take control of your own research narratives. Embracing the conference theme of ‘Resistance, Global Solidarities and Imagining Otherwise’, let’s reimaging a more inclusive and creative research landscape embracing multiple positionalities as we explore auto-narratives & write autoethnography.
Abíọ́dún 'Abbey' Abdul
Abíọ́dún (pronounced A-byaw-doon) Abdul is an Academic English Skills Lecturer and Critical Creative Doctoral Researcher. She is writing a memoir-polemic/autoethnographical series ‘Stained Glass Eyes: Race, Family and Multiculturalism’ capturing an in-depth account of how racism affects Black lives in low-diversity regions, encompassing her schooling across Yorùbá-Nigeria, Scots-Britain and Japan (through a Japanese Government secondary-school scholarship). Book 1 is nearing publication and Book 2 comprises her doctorate funded by a UoN Faculty of Arts Scholarship. A regularly commissioned creative writer and performer of narrative non-fiction, short stories and poetry, Abíọ́dún was voted UNESCO Global Poetry Slam Champion 2022 by international panellists, going on to judge the 2023 global competition. She has been published in anthologies; writes/podcasts for literary magazines, performs at literary festivals/ events, delivers writing workshops, presents at academic conferences, and founded Global Majority Writers (GMW)with 250+ members worldwide.
SPEAKER - KEYNOTE AT THE EVENING RECEPTION
Wrapping up the conference
Professor Paul Miller
Professor Paul Miller
Professor Paul Miller
WORKSHOP FACILITATORS- Dominique Walker and Ellis Walker
Exploring Auto-Narratives and Writing Autoethnography
Have you ever read an autobiography and felt enlightened by the narrative’s life lessons? Is it possible to blend such life lessons with academically rigorous research, creating valuable new auto-narrative genres? What types of knowledge production emerges from auto-theory vs auto-geography, and why is auto-ethnography becoming increasingly popular as a qualitative methodology, particularly in decolonising discussions? What sub-genres exist in auto-ethnography and how might they be more relevant for our specific research needs? How to argue against the pushback against this arts-based methodology from both academic and artistic/creative opponents? Which creative techniques can we use to bring the narratives to life, making our hard-hitting research more engaging for a wider readership?
All this and more is covered in this dynamic workshop’s interactive learning session. The following activity session then reviews sample autoethnographies before some writing practice where you take control of your own research narratives. Embracing the conference theme of ‘Resistance, Global Solidarities and Imagining Otherwise’, let’s reimaging a more inclusive and creative research landscape embracing multiple positionalities as we explore auto-narratives & write autoethnography.
Dominique Walker
Dr. Dominique Walker is a senior lecturer at Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) within the School of Law & Justice, teaching across forensics, policing, investigations, criminology, and criminal justice. Dominique’s research interests include Black feminist thought, autoethnography, intersectionality, hate crime, race, and anti-racist scholarship.
Dominique has worked to challenge hate crime and promote anti-racism, equity, and fairness in her community and with her family created The Anthony Walker Foundation (AWF), a charity set up after the untimely death of her brother Anthony in July 2005- Dominique is the Chair of AWF. AWF works to support communities to be actively antiracist, using methods such as education, music, and sport.
In 2014, Dominique was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by Liverpool John Moores University for her commitment to celebrating diversity, community development and cohesion. In 2025, Dominique was awarded her PhD in Sociology, Criminology and Social Policy at University of Liverpool, her thesis title is ‘Policing While Black: A Black Feminist Autoethnography’. Dominique is also the co-founder of the Goddess Projects (TGP), a social enterprise designed to help Black women achieve in all aspects of their lives. Dominique is also a wife and mother to two girls.
Ellis Walker
Dr. Ellis Walker holds a PhD in English Literature from the University of Sheffield, where her research focused on the publishing trajectories of black British authors. Through seven distinct case studies, she mapped the relationship between community-led practice and formal industry structures. A specialist in black British writing, she earned her MA from Goldsmiths University and has since led significant public initiatives, including a National Lottery-funded literary festival celebrating the Windrush generation.
In addition to her academic research, Dr. Walker is a seasoned editorial professional with extensive experience in academic and trade publishing. She has managed large-scale editorial projects for major international publishers and currently works as a freelance editor for educational and informational texts. Her work consistently bridges the gap between creative storytelling and community engagement, with a particular interest in accessibility and inclusive narratives.
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