Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
I am currently in the final stages of my PhD after which I plan on building upon my research and work towards a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) that will see its fast adoption in industry. I plan on doing this by establishing useful links with industry partners. I also want to dedicate a bit of effort into useful adoption and integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems as well as Global Navigation Satellite Systems in Emergency relief.
Why is Black History Month an important celebration for you?
In my case, Black History Month is mostly a time of reflection and slight internal conflict. During this time, I tend to look back to the years between 1915 and 1926 when it was officially adopted in the U.S. The schools of thought at the time were based on importance and recognition. The times dictated the thought-process towards the establishment of this important and historic event.
However, looking beyond the month and into the Mainstream, I see that we still have a long way to go. In my opinion, Black History Month should be the culmination of efforts to recognise and emphasise sacrifices, contributions and achievements of the Black community from different walks of life and also a month to celebrate inculcate efforts within our communities in the fight against racial injustice and bias altogether.
What are your experiences as a person of colour in the UK?
My individual experiences are not different from the wider BAME community as indicated in the Race to Equality report (2011) by the National Union of Students (NUS). Over the years, I have seen institutions including those I have been affiliated with, make strides on issues such as Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). However, the rate of progression could still be better.
I was surprised to see that the BAME attainment gap was 13% in 2017/18 according to the Universities UK (UUK) and NUS report. The report further indicated that this attainment gap could not be explained by a students’ background or prior qualifications but rather with the impact of institutional structures on the university experiences of BAME students. To further progress this, the intersectionality of individual experiences considering the complexity of this matter have to be carefully looked at.
Who would you say your role model is?
It is difficult for me to mention a single individual because over the years I have been greatly influenced by individuals from different walks of life. Here, one notable mention follows. My Father. Now, this might sound and seem like a cliché, but bear with me.
In the early 1990s, he published a manifesto that was thought-provoking and to many, politically damaging. Regardless, his principles would not allow him not to do so. Here, he always mentions working closely with our country’s Founding Father, who encouraged reasoning and arguments even against his opinions during political debates, as the reason for him to do so. He practises what he preaches.
Most of the decisions that were made on a family level came into effect through a democratic process, we voted and, the many won. I, for once, recall chairing one of the meetings at the age of 13. The chairmanship was rotational, touching each member. I have seen him engage in difficult but constructive discourse on the racial climate, the political democratic process and “Freedom” and this has influenced me to do the same, albeit on a different stage.
How do you think the faculty and University can further progress inclusion and diversity?
I would like to highlight two key issues that resonated with me in the open letter from a number of student groups to the University. Firstly, Curriculum Reform. Here, the University can further progress diversity by inculcating Black history with the inclusion of all crucial narratives in teaching and knowledge transfer. Secondly, directly measuring the racial climate across the broad spectrum whilst ending the use of numeral diversity in admissions and graduation rates as the primary metric.