BME Women, White Uni Conference: The Panellists’ Voices

KCL Intersectional Feminist Society organised a forum on Saturday 31st October in order to highlight the difficulties faced by BME women in the fields of academia, arts and technology.

The whole day event brought together many distinguished panellists from both in and outside of King’s to share their experiences of inequality in the academic workspace as a result of being a woman of colour.

The audience also had the chance to ask questions to the speakers regarding anything from the language surrounding the matter of race, to the particulars of their research and careers.

There was a good student presence at the event, showing the growing awareness of key issues surrounding race and gender among King’s students.

Here is what the panellists had to say on the day:

Professor Joan Anim-Addo:

“This event is particularly important because first of all, it’s an initiative that has come from the student body and, secondly, it starts the kind of dialogue that offers such a rich exchange, which can culminate into change.”

Professor of Caribbean Literature at Goldsmiths University; Panellist on BME Women, the Body and Institutions

 Dr Deborah Gabriel:

“This platform isn’t actually here for me to reach out to students of colour; to tell them how to function successfully within a racist system. That’s what the organisation Black British Academics is for.”

Lecturer in Marketing Communications at Bournemouth University; Panellist on BME Women in Academia

Dr Deborah Gabriel making her speech

Aisha Richards:

“If it was somebody else, they would offer it (the money) to them, but me -being a woman of colour- I have to ask. And this sort of thing happens all the time.”

Lecturer at the University of the Arts London and artist; Panellist on BME Women in the Arts

Dr Angela Martinez Dy:

“The internet isn’t something that is inherently liberating. It’s not something that is separate from society, but embedded within it.The internet is not neutral and can be used in a variety of ways: both to resist and enforce these challenges faced by BME women.”

Lecturer in Entrepreneurship at Loughborough University; Panellist on BME Women in Tech

Sophie Marie

“I felt so privileged to hear so many incredible women speak today. The quality and depth of the conversations that were exchanged were amazing and inspiring and I really hope that the work we’ve begun with this project continues on in the future.” 

President of KCL Intersectional Feminist Society