Exploring Black women academics' experiences in English universities using critical race theory

Abstract

Black women remain the most marginalised and socially disadvantaged group within Universities in England. For example, only twenty-five Black women are employed as professors (HESA 2020). Furthermore, there are significant gaps in research on the experiences of such few Black female academics as much of the literature on gender in academia necessarily focuses on White women, as they are disproportionately overrepresented compared to Black women. Research on race in English Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) also tends to ignore the experiences of Black women as again, there are many more Black men working in universities. Consequently, even policies aimed at promoting equality are likely to fail Black women.