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Black History Month

This page provides information and links to events for Black History Month 2022. It will be updated as more events and resources become available.

Title of Black History Month on a colourful geometric background.

October is Black History Month in the UK. This annual celebration promotes and celebrates Black contributions in British society, while also giving us the opportunity to examine and reflect on our history and commit to a better, fairer present and future. Originating in the United States in the 1920s and celebrated there in February, Black History Month came to the UK in the 1980s and has grown in scale ever since.

MPLS ED&I Statement

While it is important to mark Black History Month itself, the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (MPLS) Division’s commitment and actions aimed to support and celebrate Black mathematicians, scientists, students and professionals within our University communities and wider society goes beyond this limited timeframe.

Within the Division, we are striving for equity and inclusivity in everything we do. Our MPLS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Action Plan commits to improving the experiences of our staff and students through ‘race’-specific as well as intersectional actions that are continually developed and refined. Our Beyond Boundaries project - which is launching again this year! - encourages Oxfordshire state school children to engage with the incredible research of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic researchers. We launched our annual Diversifying the STEM Curriculum project over the summer of 2021, which looks to diversify and decolonise the curriculum in specific STEM subjects. Projects from the second iteration of the project will be shared in November 2022.

Black History Month 2022 Activity

There is a lot happening across the University and in MPLS to mark Black History Month. Here we have collated some of the initiatives and events you can get involved with, as well as links to useful resources such as Networks and Groups, Training, and more.

If you would like to add anything to this page, please let us know by emailing diversity@mpls.ox.ac.uk.

University events, activities and information

Central University has collated this Black History Month webpage with events that are open to everyone, along with useful resources for students. Highlights include the launch of the Black Women at Oxford exhibition, The Sam Sharpe Lecture, and the University's annual Black History Month Lecture. 

MPLS Beyond Boundaries 

Applications for researcher role models for the MPLS Beyond Boundaries science-inspired art competition for young people are now open! If you are a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic researcher in STEMM (from MPLS or MSD departments), are interested in engaging with state school students from across Oxfordshire, and want to showcase your work and inspire children – this is for you! Find out more about Beyond Boundaries!

MPLS events

  • Mathematical Institute: Maths are livestreaming the Black Heroes of Mathematics conference taking place on Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 October. The conference aims ‘to celebrate the inspirational contributions of black role models to the field of Mathematics and Mathematics Education’ with a balance of technical talks by internationally renowned black speakers that include some detail of career paths and experience to provide a testimonial dimension. We will be live-streaming the attached programme from Lecture Theatre 2 at the Mathematical Institute across both days. In particular, we hope people will join us for a drink and slice of pizza in our Mezzanine from 17:00, before the panel discussion takes place at 18:00. Register for the Black Heroes of Mathematics reception.
  • Department of Biology: The Department of Biology will be highlighting the work of Black Biologists during Black History Month through a series of blogs and social media takeovers. Look out for an overview of Black biologists from Oxford and beyond on 6 October. On 12 October, Tanesha Allen will be telling us all about her work on badger behaviour, and on 19 October Godfrey Mtare will be featuring his DPhil in landscape-level conservation. Look out for #BlackBiologists on Twitter and Instagram! Biology is also hosting a hybrid panel discussion titled 'Being Black in Biology'. The event will be held on Wednesday 26 October at 1:30-2:30pm, and guests can attend in-person at Mansfield Road in the seminar room or virtually via Microsoft Teams. Register for 'Being Black in Biology'. If you have any questions, please contact Dr Tanesha Allen (tanesha.allen@biology.ox.ac.uk).

Resources - both within MPLS and wider

There are lots of networks, groups and resources available all year round. We have highlighted many of these on the following pages:

  • Networks and Groups: Lots of groups including the BIPOC STEM Network and BME Staff Network.
  • Training: Highlighting in particular our anti-racist and intersectional allyship and creating inclusive cultures sessions.
  • Other Resources and Information: Including resources in the Bodleian, guidance on being a responsible bystander, and the Race Equality Charter.