Black scholarships are under threat in the UK as universities are facing financial crises and implementing cost-cutting measures that are impacting courses and lecturers focused on racial disparities in higher education. Prominent academics like Prof Hakim Adi and Prof Robert Beckford have been made redundant, and courses such as black studies at Birmingham City University have been shut down.
While some universities have reversed decisions like Goldsmiths, University of London, where the Black British literature MA course will continue for another two years, the impact of these cuts on black scholarship is significant. Prof Deirdre Obsorne, the founder of the Black British literature course at Goldsmiths, has been made redundant, leaving students heartbroken and concerned about the future of black scholarship in the UK.
Prof Kehinde Andrews, who leads Birmingham City University’s black studies department, expressed disappointment at the closure of the undergraduate course, highlighting the lack of appreciation for black intellectual thought. The cuts are not only affecting the current generation of students but also future generations of black creatives who are being deprived of access to knowledge and opportunities in academia.
The impact of these cuts goes beyond just the courses themselves. Prof Beckford, who supported 16 black PhD students, emphasized the importance of mentorship and empowerment for black students and colleagues, which is being compromised by the lack of funding and job security in academia.
Campaigners and academics believe that courses and lecturers specializing in black history and culture should be protected and given time to develop and have a lasting impact. The lack of diversity in higher education, with fewer than 1% of professors being black, underscores the urgency of preserving black scholarship in the UK.
Universities, facing financial challenges, must find ways to support and prioritize black scholarship to ensure diversity and representation within academia. The legal challenges and protests from students affected by these cuts reflect the deep concern and commitment to preserving black scholarship and history in higher education. It is essential for universities to recognize the value and importance of these courses and educators in creating a more inclusive and diverse academic environment for all students.
