New University of Exeter and Black Leadership Group antiracism partnership to boost social justice in higher education

A new partnership between the University of Exeter and the Black Leadership Group will support inclusion in higher education.

Exeter is the first university to affiliate with BLG, through a new partnership with its Student Access, Recruitment and Admissions service. The affiliation will support work by both organisations to help people access higher education and succeed in their studies.

This new work includes new training for student access, recruitment and admissions staff to help drive forward improvements to boost inclusion, fair access and social mobility.

The Black Leadership Group was established to challenge systemic racism for the benefit of all Black communities and the wider UK society. It aims to be the authoritative voice of antiracism in FE and HE, schools, public, voluntary and private sectors, and to further the interests of people from ethnically diverse backgrounds. 

Nicola Sinclair, Head of Access, Participation and Outreach at the University of Exeter, said: “Our partnership with the Black Leadership Group will help us give all students the best possible experience  as they engage with us as they make decisions about their future and throughout the application process. The training will help build the confidence of our staff to encourage inclusion, while shaping the nature of our service and the support we provide.  

“Our focus has been on elevating our support for students from underrepresented groups while they are considering higher education and during the recruitment and admissions process. We work extensively with learners from all backgrounds across the country and have been strengthening our relationships with schools and the further education sector. We are delighted to be working with the Black Leadership Group and the wider affiliate community to grow our knowledge and collaborate to better support racially minoritised learners.”  

University of Exeter staff will also be working with their partner further education colleges to support the progression of students to Exeter through dedicated outreach, and to share insights into how to better support students through recruitment and transition.

The partnership was sparked when Robin Landman OBE and Dr Arun Verma from BLG were keynote speakers at last year’s University of Exeter Success for All Conference and gave a motivational insight into their work in the further education sector to improve representation and embed antiracist practice.

Mr Landman said: “In just three years we have grown our affiliate community to more than 60 organisations across education and the public and private sector.

“We hope that the new relationship with the University of Exeter will provide a route into more university communities where students arriving from overseas, and those experiencing new independent living for the first time can be confident in a welcoming and supportive environment that supports diversity and celebrates it.

“We are delighted that the first training sessions with the university team, using innovative and experiential approaches to antiracist practice have been so well received and embraced by all participants.”

Professor Rajani Naidoo, University of Exeter Vice-President and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (People and Culture), said: “We are very proud to be the first university to be affiliated with the Black Leadership Group. Not only will we at the University of Exeter learn a great deal from the Black Leadership Group, but this affiliation will also strengthen our relationships with further education colleges. We have embarked on a journey at the University of Exeter to diversify our staff and student community and develop an inclusive culture and inclusive education and practice. Our affiliation with the black Leadership Foundation will support us on this journey and we are looking forward very much to our continuing collaboration.”