As part of Black History Month, Open SU hosted its first EDI Roadshow, bringing together staff, students from the REACH (Race, Ethnicity, And Cultural Heritage) community and allies for an evening of reflection, learning and meaningful conversations.
Under the theme ‘Seen. Heard. Represented.’, the session explored the experiences of Black students and staff in higher education, barriers to belonging and progression, and our collective responsibility to create more inclusive educational environments.
Guest speaker Dr Camille London-Miyo MBE from the Stephen Lawrence Research Centre shared her expertise in education, racial literacy and transformative practice, setting the foundation for the evening's discussions.
Challenging the idea of higher education as an inclusive space
Dr Camille opened with a question that ran throughout her presentation: Can we really describe higher education as an inclusive space?
Drawing on her research and professional experience, she explored three interconnected areas: representation, lived experience and outcomes.
She highlighted the underrepresentation of Black academics in senior leadership and professorial positions, the barriers Black students face throughout their academic journeys, and the awarding gaps that continue to affect educational outcomes. She also challenged whose knowledge is recognised, whose scholarship is taught and whose contributions are represented within university curricula.
Dr Camille encouraged attendees to look beyond institutional statements on diversity and inclusion and consider how these commitments translate into everyday policies, practices, teaching and learning.
She also introduced the concept of the deficit narrative – presenting institutions as though things are already working well while overlooking the inequalities and structural barriers that remain. Rather than accepting that things are simply 'good enough', she encouraged attendees to question the systems that continue to reproduce inequality.
The importance of racial literacy
A central theme of Dr Camille's presentation was racial literacy and its role in creating more inclusive educational environments.
Drawing on the work of bell hooks and her own Teaching to Transform approach, she explored how language, knowledge and educational practices can either reinforce inequalities or empower marginalised communities.
Racial literacy encourages a deeper understanding of race, racism, privilege and how these dynamics operate within institutions and everyday interactions.
Dr Camille emphasised that meaningful change requires more than conversations. It needs sustained leadership commitment, institutional accountability and a willingness to challenge established ways of working.
She also highlighted the importance of understanding our own positionality – recognising the privileges and opportunities available to us and considering how we can use them to create opportunities for others.
As she explained, allyship is not about speaking on behalf of marginalised communities, but using our access and influence to open doors for others.
From conversations to real-life scenarios
Following the keynote, attendees took part in an interactive, scenario-based workshop, working in smaller groups alongside EDI representatives.
The workshop explored situations that students and staff from ethnic minority backgrounds may encounter in higher education, encouraging participants to consider how they could respond, challenge behaviours and support those affected.
Scenarios included:
- Microaggressions in the classroom: A student is repeatedly asked to provide a perspective based on their ethnic background, leaving them feeling uncomfortable and singled out.
- Experiences of scrutiny on campus: A student notices they are being treated differently in university spaces, including being questioned about their student identity and feeling watched while using campus facilities.
- Scrutiny of academics speaking about race: An academic of colour receives online criticism after publicly discussing race and equality, with some questioning their objectivity and professional position because of their ethnicity.
These conversations encouraged participants to consider the impact of seemingly small interactions, listen to lived experiences and reflect on the responsibility of institutions to respond appropriately.
An important reflection was that the absence of openly hostile behaviour does not necessarily mean an interaction is free from racial bias or its impact. Participants also explored how allies can challenge behaviours, avoid dismissing someone's experiences and create environments where conversations about race can happen more openly.
Turning reflection into action
Dr Camille encouraged attendees to recognise the importance of community, networking and staying connected, particularly for Black students and staff navigating higher education. She also reinforced the role of allies in understanding their own positionality and using their influence to create opportunities for others.
One of her most powerful messages was the need to move beyond simply acknowledging that racism exists and towards actively dismantling the conditions that allow it to continue.
Dr Camille's recommended reading list
- Black Feminist Theories – Carol Boyce Davies
- Whiteness and Racial Trauma at University – Marshall Keval
- Publications and research by Professor Arday, particularly on the experiences of Black students and academics in higher education
- Race and Assessment in Higher Education
- Research and writing by Frances Twine on racial literacy
Continuing the conversation
The first EDI Roadshow brought people together to share knowledge and create space for conversations that are sometimes difficult but necessary.
A huge thank you to Dr Camille London-Miyo MBE for sharing her knowledge, experience and research, and to everyone who attended, contributed to the discussions and took part in the interactive workshop.
Revisit the roadshow and stay connected
- Connect with our communities
Explore our Linktree to find support networks and communities, including REACH, OU Pride and the Disabled Students' Group.
Visit Open SU's Linktree
- Read our October EDI Newsletter
Our latest edition celebrates Black History Month and shares news, opportunities and updates from across the university.
Read the October newsletter
- Subscribe and enter our prize draw!
The first 150 subscribers will be entered into a prize draw, with two winners each receiving a £30 Love2shop voucher.
The draw closes 30 November 2026 at 23:59. Winners will be notified by 14 December 2026.
Subscribe to the EDI Newsletter
Read the prize draw terms and conditions
- Help us shape future EDI Roadshows
If you attended, we'd love to hear your thoughts. Your feedback will help us develop future sessions and ensure they continue to reflect the needs of our communities.
Complete the EDI Roadshow feedback form