The REACH Annual Lecture: We must move the needle on inequality in academia

Despite ample evidence that inequalities harm innovation, productivity, and general well-being, they continue persist in all areas of economic life in the UK, including academia. There are currently about 234,000 academics working in the UK, with roughly equal participation between men and women, and approximately 17% of academics are from Black, and minoritized ethnic communities. This level of participation is proportionate to the UK population from these backgrounds.

However, in terms of Professorships, Black and minoritized ethnic communities remain underrepresented and stand at just 11% of all professors. In fact, within higher education more generally, those from Black and minoritized ethnic communities, despite good participation rates, are relegated to the lower job functions and pay grades, as are female academics. This results in university decision making being driven by a narrow homogenous group of individuals. Moreover, research funding is also predominantly won by White male researchers, meaning that inevitably blind spots emerge where only certain types of individuals are funded.

A key driver for real diversity in UK academia is the fact that Black and minoritized ethnic students are overrepresented in our universities with more than a quarter (27%) of UK domiciled students attending UK universities being from such backgrounds. However, due to the lack of proportionate diversity amongst academics, many of these students do not often see themselves represented within the UK academy.

In this talk Professor Uchegbu will explore what work needs to be done to improve the outcomes for Black and minoritized ethnic students within British Higher education, and why such a diversified body of students and academics within university settings can be of benefit for all.

is a ground-breaking nanoscientist. Born in London, she moved to Nigeria as a teenager, where she later graduated from the University of Benin with a degree in Ph*rm*cy in 1981. She pursued further studies, earning a master's degree from the University of Lagos and a PhD from University College London’s (UCL) School of Ph*rm*cy.

A renowned expert in pharmaceutical nanoscience, Uchegbu has been instrumental in advancing drug transport technology. Her research led to the development of Envelta™, a potential treatment for pain that addresses the opioid crisis. This innovative work earned prestigious awards, including the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Emerging Technologies prize in 2017.

In her academic career, Uchegbu has held significant leadership roles at UCL, including Pro Vice Provost for Africa and the Middle East and Provost’s Envoy for Race Equality. She played a key role in advancing UCL’s race equality initiatives, which earned the institution a Bronze Race Charter in 2020.

In 2024, Uchegbu became President of Wolfson College, University of Cambridge. As a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, she continues to contribute to scientific research and higher education policy globally.

This event is open to all and free to attend - please book your place.

There will be a drinks reception from 18.00-18.30, with the talk starting at 18.30.

This event will take place in the Lee Hall which has step-free access and an accessible toilet.

If you have any questions, please contact our events team - [email protected]

The REACH research hub at Wolfson is an interdisciplinary meeting place for the promotion and facilitation of culturally diverse research.

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