Awareness, Collaboration, and Communities: Reflections from the Learned Society of Wales Symposium"

Last week, I had the honour of sitting alongside five extraordinary women—each a trailblazer in her own right—on a panel exploring “Challenges and Opportunities Facing Black Women Academics: Awareness, Collaboration, and Communities.” This powerful symposium formed part of the Early Career Researchers Network Conference hosted by the Learned Society of Wales, and I was deeply moved by the richness of the conversations that took place.

The invitation came through a contact I met at the Minoritised Life Scientists Future Forum (MLSFF) in Birmingham, and then through a follow-up message on LinkedIn. It was a timely reminder that the spaces we occupy—and the connections we make within them—matter. Not only do they shape our careers, but they also shape the kind of change we’re able to create together.

This panel was more than a professional engagement. It was a space of truth-telling and hope. Each of us brought lived experience, academic insight, and a fierce commitment to equity in higher education. We spoke candidly about structural barriers, culture and the mental and emotional labour that Black women in academia disproportionately carry. But we also celebrated the growing movement of female academics who are pushing boundaries, rewriting narratives, and lifting as they climb.

We reflected on:

• The isolation that many Black women still feel in academic spaces;

• The need for visible, meaningful representation—not just as token inclusion but as leadership and influence;

• The ways in which collaboration between Black women across disciplines and institutions can create safe, generative, and affirming spaces;

• And crucially, how institutions must move beyond statements of  solidarity to measurable actions that dismantle inequity.

What stood out most was the emphasis on community. The truth is none of us is doing this work alone. Our progress is deeply tied to our ability to build, support, and sustain networks that amplify our voices and validate our experiences. From

• mentoring schemes to,

• collaborative research,

• writing collectives to,

• peer support networks,

These communities are reshaping the academic landscape—quietly, but powerfully.

I left the event not only energised, but also reflective. Reflective about the responsibility I carry as a senior academic, and about the opportunities I have to create space for others. Grateful to be in an institution that champions women in leadership, yes—but also keenly aware of the work that remains.

As I continue to grow in my own leadership journey, I remain committed to championing inclusive excellence. I look forward to staying connected with this incredible group of scholars and continuing the conversation—through shared work, shared learning, and shared ambition.

• To share.

• To support.

• To champion.